Skaters make push for year-round ice

Riding the wave of hype surrounding the Winter Games, a local ice skating club is gearing up for a big push to bring year-round skating to Whitefish.

The Glacier Skate International Training Academy is aiming to raise enough funds this year to make upgrades at the Stumptown Ice Den so figure skaters and hockey players can get on the ice 365 days a year.

“The months that the Ice Den closes for the summer is crucial training time for figure skaters that have the dream and goal to compete and make it to the Olympics,” said Chad Goodwin, director of Glacier Skate. “A full 12-month season is an important tool for competitive hockey players that use May, June, July and August as training development.”

The Ice Den is slated to stay open until April 20 this year, although the Park and Recreation board is considering an extension to keep ice open through June.

Goodwin has argued for years that summer ice will bring a positive impact to local businesses and the city.

“The Ice Den is the only indoor ice rink in the valley and we can become the only year-round ice rink in the state,” he said.

Major upgrades are needed to keep the rink open through the hottest months of the year.

“The Ice Den was built as a winter facility and keeping the ice all summer will take major improvements,” Goodwin said.

Phase I of improvements includes the installation of an evaporative condenser and a low-E ceiling. Those upgrades are estimated to cost $175,000.

The upgrades are costly, Goodwin says, but would be out-weighed by the economic boost provided from summer skate camps and training. He points to Sun Valley, Idaho as an example where summer skating is an economic success.

“Their summer skate business keeps the Sun Valley village alive once ski season closes,” he said.

Skate training, camps and ice shows take place all summer in Sun Valley, he said, which is how Glacier Skate plans to use the Ice Den.

Ice Den manager Andy Hergesheimer agrees year-round skating would add to Whitefish’s summer offerings.

“Whitefish is a destination place,” he said. “Families come here to put their kids in the skating program and do other fun Whitefish stuff.”

Glacier Skate will kick off their fundraising campaign Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. with an Olympic event at Crush Lounge in Whitefish. Olympic skaters Scott Davis and Jeff Langdon, and professional hockey player Geoff Sanderson will be in attendance.

For more information, contact Tanya Gersch at 261-4830 or mail@tanyagersh.com.