Ice arena fundraiser declared a "barn burner"
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 months AGO
Broomball enthusiasts took it to the net during last Friday's Mission Valley Ice Rink benefit in Polson. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
The silent auction at Friday's well-attended benefit for the Mission Valley Ice Arena brought in about $5,250. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
The Montana ShamRockers crooned Irish tunes for the Mission Valley Ice Arena benefit, held last Friday at Glacier Brewing Company. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at editor@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343. | March 16, 2023 12:00 AM
Last Friday’s fundraiser for the Mission Valley Ice Arena at Glacier Brewing was a huge success by almost any measure.
“We want to thank everyone who turned out – it was a real barn burner,” said Chuck Wall, a member of the Mission Valley Ice Arena Association Board.
“I’m told we raised over $10,000 – putting 10,000 biscuits in the basket,” he added.
Treasurer Carmine Mowbray called it “a hat trick” with funds pouring in from a silent auction, raffle and donations from lots of individuals.
“I'm not sure what the head count was, but I poured 222 pints,” said Patrick May, proprietor of Glacier Brewing Company.
The Mission Valley Ice Arena Board thanked May, who added $250 to the pot, a result of the brisk business at his tap.
This winter the arena received a deed to a 1.18-acre lot from local developer Mike Maddy and his wife, Marlo, adjacent to the Polson Soccer Fields.
The ice arena will occupy approximately 32,500 square feet, which will include a regulation rink, room for spectators, locker rooms for teams, a lobby, skate rental and skate sharpening area, a concession area, restrooms, room for referees, a management office, and space for the ice-grooming machine and chilling/dehumidfying equipment.
The project is expected to cost $5 million, and MVIAA has raised just over $4 million so far, not including the nudge from last Friday’s event.
Quality Construction of Missoula – the contractor that completed the Polson Boys and Girls Club – will serve as general contractor and an ice-rink specialist will install specific rink infrastructure. Local builder Hu Beaver will serve as board representative throughout construction.
Stay posted on arena progress at missionvalleyicearena.com.
