Efforts to save and reopen Grand Junction's Glacier Ice Arena have failed and the building is officially up for sale.

Monday, it was listed by Coldwell Banker Realty but its asking price is being kept under wraps.

"We don't want it publicized," arena owner Alan Koos said. Instead, he says he is focused on attracting an investor that will keep it open as an ice skating rink.

"This community really needs one."

Grand Junction residents are sad to hear the news. First to come to many minds are the memories shared at the ice skating rink - from hockey games to figure skating or even just a Friday night out.

The building and its owners enjoyed four years of successful business before a faulty refrigerator system melted too much of the ice away. Back in 2010, the owners shut the arena's doors in hopes of one day reopening.

"That was our intention all along. That's why we filed the lawsuit," Koos said.

The Koos family took to the legal system in hopes of getting the Canadian supplier to pay up. They were awarded the the settlement recently but say it does not cover the last two years of piling debt.

"All of the award went to the debtors and therefore left us with not enough money to reopen the rink."

After initial public outcry and fading efforts to save the rink, many in the public still have a special place for the Glacier Ice Arena. And although cobwebs have taken over the building, they still hope someone will bring skating back to the facility.

But the group "Save the Rink Inc." disbanded last year and the current owners say there is no guarantee that the eventual buyer will want to reopen the rink.

That is why some residents are hoping the city of Grand Junction will step in.

"I would like to see them look into it," Connie Kelly said. "The real question becomes if the debt is paid and if the equipment works, does it pay its way?"

Others aren't so convinced taxpayers should save the day.

"I think it should be in private hands and that the city shouldn't take it over," Bill Voss said.

Steve Kelly agrees. "I think the city has a lot of obligations and probably priority-wise, there's other things that would probably come ahead of that."

The city says a deal to buy the arena is not "a financially viable possibility for us at this time."

Still, the building's owners hope a low price and willingness to negotiate will attract a buyer committed to the rink's legacy. "Life is not always fair and we did the best we could," Koos said.

"We fought as long as we could."