Prior to 1981
most local area ice activities were outside or at
distant arenas (Columbia being the closest.) A number of
Ice Hockey enthusiasts tried on 3 separate occasions to
get a voter referendum passed to build a municipal Ice
Arena. All three efforts failed.
In 1980 another
group formed to try and build an arena privately. This
group was made up of an all-volunteer group of ice
hockey parents and supporters. A group of 70+ parents
were charged with raising the necessary funds through
donations and pledges from ice hockey parents, fans and
local businesses. After a successful campaign and a
donation from Anoka County, who was getting significant
pressure to build another county rink, the project was
given an o.k. Most of the money was raised from local
area residents who were clearly willing to commit
financially due to a total lack of available indoor ice.
Another group was charged with building the arena.
Volunteers worked every weekday night until 10:00 pm or
later and on Saturday from 6:00 am till 10-11 pm. The
entire arena except for the steel structure was built
with outstanding dedicated volunteers (painters,
plumbers, electricians, block layers, and general labor
for the unskilled). The project received very favorable
press from both Minneapolis and St. Paul papers and
local TV stations. This type of volunteer project was unique in
Minnesota. Most arena’s are municipal sponsored (thus
taxpayer supported) but the Anoka arena is one of a very
few that is Ice Arena Association member owned and
operated. Ground was broken in July 1981 with a
grand opening in November 1981. A truly exceptional performance. It became only the 3rd arena in
Anoka County (Columbia and Coon Rapids being the others).
Financing was
always a day to day problem because the funds only came
from donations thus were limited. Needless to say every
dollar had to be spent wisely. Many very hard decisions
had to be made such as natural ice vs. artificial ice
(big cost difference). On a number of occasions the
entire group was called together to decide on a
continuation or stop. Material was scrounged from many
sources. Initial rubber came from a Taconite plant in
Northern MN, bleachers from a school in Iowa. Outside
fire escape was on a truck to a dump. Local sheriff
stopped the truck asked where the steps were going.
After being advised - the dump, he commented follow me.
Thus the rink’s fire escape. There are many stories like
these. To those who were there in the early 80’s this
was a palace, a gem and theirs (to use). Would an
upscale arena be preferable, yes but without taxpayer
source of funding, there was no options or flexibility.
Every dollar got maximum use.
It is important
that the history of the initial ice arena not be
forgotten. It is a great story and the arena has served
our local youth for now over 25 years. Without the value
and equity of the initial arena, there would not be a
second rink. That original group should always be
thanked for their efforts and wise use of the very
limited funds they had to work with.
There is
significant value to the Anoka Area Hockey Association
of the Anoka Area Ice Arena. Since it is member owned
and not municipal owned, arena members through a board
determine ice arena priorities not a municipality. The
Anoka Area Hockey Association gets priority on ice.
Secondly, Anoka
Hockey Association ice hour prices are below average
market prices. Others who buy ice hours from Anoka Ice
Arena pay a higher market price. The Ice Arenas Board’s
primary mission is to provide for all requested needs of
Anoka Hockey Association the arena’s primary customer,
at the lowest cost possible. Expenses are not incurred
that our income can’t support otherwise ice costs
increase.
Thank you for
your time in reading this history. It is important to
know and understand the history and story of the Anoka
Area Ice Arena.
