By Shannon Lukens.
The Howelsen Ice Pavilion, or HIP, expansion project is underway. It will be a new open-air sheet of ice to go with the NHL sheet already at Howelsen Ice Arena. It will increase ice time and availability and expand year-round program at the ice rink for the Steamboat community. Kerry Shea is chair of the HIP fundraising project. He says he’s been working on this for ten years.
“The Howelsen Ice Pavilion is going to be such a great thing for Steamboat because it’s going to be able to help everyone in the community, all year round. Not just our winter sports and our youth in the wintertime, but full, year-round access, after-school action. Really everyone that’s local to Steamboat and visiting.”
The extra sheet of ice will support the youth and adult hockey programs, figure skating, curling, public skate and everything at the rink.
The group has pledged $40,000 to kick off the fundraising campaign. The plan is to raise $6M by January 31, 2024.
Find out more at Make the HIP Happen.
Press release from the City of Steamboat Springs; June 29, 2023.
Howelsen Ice Pavilion Launches Capital Campaign
Three Entities Pledge $40,000 To Kick-Off Fundraising Efforts
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-June 29, 2023-The Howelsen Ice Pavilion (HIP) officially launches the capital fundraising campaign for the highly anticipated expansion project to the existing Howelsen Ice Arena tomorrow, Friday, June 30, 2023.
“We are thrilled to officially launch the HIP fundraising campaign with the goal of adding significant ice time and additional year-round benefits to our community,” said Kerry Shea, Chair of the HIP fundraising campaign & Steamboat Springs Youth Hockey Association (SSYHA) Board President. “This campaign is 50 years in the making; and now is the time to Make the HIP Happen!”
The committee is a collaborative effort comprised of the SSYHA, Steamboat Skating Club, and the Steamboat Curling Club. The group has pledged $40,000 to kick-off the fundraising campaign and is working to raise $6M in capital funds required to build the HIP by January 31, 2024.
The new facility will encompass approximately 30,000-square-feet of covered, open air space with a NHL-sized ice rink, practice rink, locker rooms and dryland workout area. The HIP will dramatically increase availability and access for high demand introductory youth activities, adult recreation, and public access for existing winter programs, in addition to expanding year-round availability for new groups in spring, summer and fall seasons.
“It’s fantastic to see many groups coming together in partnership to work toward this goal,” commented City Councilor Michael Buccino. “It shows the breadth of how the HIP will impact the community and the year-round effect it will have for so many different groups.”
The Howelsen Ice Arena has been a keystone community facility dating back to the 1970s. As the community has grown over the last five decades, so has demand. Fully enclosed in the 1990s, plans for expansion to meet future demand were quickly introduced in the early 2000s providing the road map for endorsement by the Parks & Recreation Commission in 2015 and City Council in 2017. Between 2017 and 2022, the city invested over $4.5M for initial expansion improvements. City Council provided final approval for the main facility in early 2023.
“The existing arena is one of the best ice rinks in Colorado, which is in high demand and regularly booked solid,” continued Shea. “The HIP provides a wonderful opportunity to expand on this amazing Steamboat Springs amenity providing further availability and access to locals and guests alike.”
In completing the HIP, the Howelsen Ice Arena will achieve its true potential in upwards of doubling winter capacity and providing a new home for expanded year-round youth and adult programming, public access, special events and additional resources for Howelsen Park. Learn about the HIP or donate to Make the HIP Happen at www.howelsenicepavilion.com.