STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-March 23, 2023-Steamboat Springs City Council unanimously approved a fundraising agreement with the Steamboat Springs Youth Hockey Association (SSYHA) for the expansion of the Howelsen Ice Arena with a second sheet of ice during the Tuesday, March 21 meeting.
“We’re seeing increasing numbers across all ice users,” commented Angela Cosby, Parks & Recreation Director. “The expansion will provide additional ice time during winter months and will be available as a covered facility in the spring, summer and fall for much needed recreational programming space.”
The facility is designed to be an open-air, covered, multi-use facility to the existing ice arena. The expansion is intended to grow youth development and enhance community activities through expanded programming.
With the agreement officially finalized and approved, SSYHA has until January 31, 2024, to raise sufficient funds and donate to the city for the purposes of design and construction of the Ice Arena Expansion.
Both entities will share in costs to update the existing design, including proper evaluation of impacts, land use, development and building applications, permit fees, etc. The city will continue management, operations, programming, and scheduling of the facility when the second sheet comes online.
All current ice user groups would see significant increases in ice times with the addition of the new sheet including direct impacts to the Steamboat Springs Youth Hockey Association, Steamboat Skating Club, Curling, High School JV, Learn to Skate & Intro to Hockey and adult recreational programs. In addition, there is expected to be over four times more public ice times available with this expanded facility.
In preparation for this partnership and project, the city has contributed over $4.5 million dollars providing needed expanded parking, constructing required sidewalk connections, relocating the main sewer line, relocating electrical lines, constructing additional public restrooms, women’s locker rooms, office space, concessions space, and programming space.
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Contact
Angela Cosby, Parks & Recreation Director, 970.871.7017 or email
Alexis Wolf, Recreation Manager, 970.871.7053 or email
Emily Hines, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, 970.871.7031 or email