Save The Ice!

Save the Ice: Our Volunteer-Operated Rink Needs to Evolve to Survive!

Built in 2001, the Cumberland Ice Arena has a unique history. For thirty years prior, ice skating and hockey games in the small town of Cumberland, WI (population 2,304) took place at an outdoor rink with concessions being sold from an old train car. With skating firmly established as a local pastime, a grassroots effort was made to move indoors, but the money for making it happen was extremely difficult to come by. Ultimately, financing for the new building had to be spread between three community banks and the funding was only secured when 20 local families agreed to cosign on each of the loans. These families took on substantial financial risk because skating and hockey had become part of the fabric of our town and they believed that the people here would do right by them. More than two decades later, it’s clear now that the people here have done just that.

We are proud to say that the Cumberland Ice Arena has been 100% volunteer-operated since inception, that we have been steadfast in our commitment to making skating and hockey both affordable and accessible for everyone, and that all original loans have been repaid. The Cumberland Ice Arena has been a wonderful home for community open skates, free learn to skate programs, free learn to play hockey programs, youth hockey teams, youth figure skaters, and priceless memories made throughout the years. As with any aging and well-loved structure though, there comes a time when replacements, repairs, and upgrades become necessary. For our ice rink, that time is now - and we have an ambitious goal of turning this challenging time into an opportunity to evolve this building and secure its future.

In particular, the current sand-based subsurface is inefficient, nearing the end of its lifespan, and limits how this space can be used. Upgrading to a concrete subsurface would not only be more durable and greatly improve the efficiency of the compressors, it would also allow us to transform the rink during the skating offseason into a multi-purpose recreation center. This would give us the ability to host activities such as roller-skating, craft shows, receptions, and more. Additionally, upgrading the locker rooms, seating areas, and sound systems would allow us to host larger hockey tournaments and figure skating events that we are currently unable to accommodate. Beyond greatly benefiting our small town and surrounding areas, these activities would greatly improve the cash flow for our organization and our ability to maintain operations.

We know our dreams are big, but the generation before us had big dreams too. They found a way to get it done and now it’s our turn to do the same. We have been saving up, applying for grants, and looking into financing, but the bottom line is that we could really use all the help we can get. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal. Please consider contributing and sharing this campaign to spread the word. With some hard work and a little help, we can preserve and enhance a space where families gather, friendships are built and young athletes grow.