Major capital improvements are on the horizon at the New Hope Ice Arena and the New Hope City Council is uncertain where funding for the improvements will come from. In 2008 the City Council authorized the creation of a New Hope Ice Arena Endowment Fund to encourage arena users, stakeholders and area residents and businesses to play an active role in helping to meet the facility’s needs.
The New Hope Ice Arena, located at 4949 Louisiana Ave. N., was constructed in 1975. A second sheet of ice was added in 1996. The outdated cooling system for the original north ice sheet is nearing the end of its life cycle, and the city of New Hope is looking for help in funding the estimated $1.5 million needed to replace the aging ice refrigeration and dehumidification systems. In addition, remodeling of the arena’s community room, replacement of the roof, and other projects also need to be addressed in the near future.
The New Hope Ice Arena is a regional asset that serves hockey players from New Hope, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Plymouth and Robbinsdale. It has been home ice for Cooper and Armstrong boys’ and girls’ hockey teams since 1975. The arena has been home to local youth hockey associations for many years, and continues to work closely with Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey. The facility also serves local figure skaters. The New Hope Figure Skating School provides figure skating instruction to skaters ages three to adult. And, the community room at the arena hosts many recreation programs – including New Hope’s very popular dance program as well as many community groups.
While the New Hope Ice Arena was built with general obligation bonds and the city of New Hope has borne the bulk of the cost of maintaining it – the facility serves the needs of many people beyond New Hope’s borders. The New Hope Ice Arena Endowment Fund was established to present an opportunity for everyone who sees the extraordinary benefits the New Hope Ice Arena provides to help “Keep It Cool.” Any size contribution is welcome. Categories have been set up for larger donors ranging from the $1,000 “Friends of the New Hope Ice Arena,” to “Platinum Level” for donations of $250,000 or more. The city of New Hope will match 25 percent of all funds received. The goal of the endowment fund is to raise $2.5 million for capital improvement needs at the arena.
For more information about the New Hope Ice Arena Endowment Fund, contact parks and recreation director Susan Rader at 763-531-5152.