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Small Organization, BIG Dreams

By Paul Evans, 10/17/16, 11:30AM EDT

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Unique Approach to Ice Shortage Could Pay Big Dividends in the Community

Indianapolis -- The South Indy Youth Hockey Association (SIYHA) prides itself on being just a little bit different.  In some cases it’s out of necessity, such as their decision to run a Flex* hockey team just so a handful of kids would still have a chance to play.  Yet at other times, the difference is entirely by design.

As their little organization began to grow, SIYHA’s Board members began the quest for additional ice time to accommodate their swelling ranks.  The problem was that there was no more ice to be had at Perry Park… or anywhere else for that matter.  What little time could be found was both expensive -- rental fees are typically in excess of $200 per hour -- and inconvenient -- it’s never a good idea to have children practicing until 11pm on a school night.

The group had already begun running split-ice sessions and having two teams share the ice during practice.  Most organizations do this these days in order to keep ice costs under control.  Still, this solution would only be temporary as interest in ice hockey continues to grow.  So South Indy President Jeremy Kuntz decided to think differently.

Instead of trying to find more ice to buy, he decided to look into the idea of creating more ice time by building a practice rink.  While not the easiest solution, Kuntz felt that constructing a practice rink would solve several long-term problems.  A practice rink would provide the necessary ice time to accommodate their growth.  This was the most pressing need, but there were others as well.

With a deeply held belief that hockey should be an inclusive activity and that any barriers to participation need to be removed, having an ice rink under the organization’s control would provide an opportunity to add an Girls team and a Sled Hockey program for disabled players.  Additionally, not having to rent ice would help keep participation affordable for families.

“The more we thought about it” said Kuntz, “the more we felt like this was the perfect solution for our kids.  Our mission is to provide opportunities for anyone interested in playing hockey.  Having our own rink would allow us to do just that.”  With Girls hockey showing rapid growth on a national level, and no Sled hockey program in Indianapolis, the idea of building a rink seemed like a win for everyone.

Not long after the SIYHA Board established a planning committee did the project take an unexpected turn.  “Once we began developing a concept, we quickly saw the potential this project could have on the community,” Kuntz stated.  “Having an association-run facility would open up a whole host of possibilities.”  As the ideas began to flow, the concept of their practice rink began to grow.  Thus, the Rink Of Dreams was born.

Led by committee Chairman Paul Evans, the group began looking at ways the new ice arena could have a broader impact.  Hosting camps, clinics, and tournaments would provide revenue to sustain the facility, which could then be funnelled back into programming to keep the cost of participation low for families.  Partnering with schools and technology-based businesses to develop a STEM curriculum centered around ice sports would add an educational component that involved the Math, Science, and Physical Education departments.  And through their partnership with Franciscan Health, designs on a concussion prevention and research program could soon come to fruition.

Added Kuntz, “Hockey - and ice sports in general - can offer a world of possibilities to the community.  Having a full-sized ice arena with all the amenities owned and operated by a non-profit youth sports organization is unheard of.  But not only would the Rink Of Dreams solve our pressing need for additional ice time, it would allow us to more completely embrace our belief that hockey is for everyone.”

Progress on the facility has been slow but is still moving forward.  “We’ve had a harder time attracting donors than we had hoped,” mentioned Evans, “but our aggressive timeline was probably a bit unrealistic.”  Originally slated to open during the summer of 2017, it is more likely that the facility will not be ready until the following year.  Still, the committee remains undaunted.  “We have a couple of organizations ready to jump in during the construction phase, and we know that once shovels go in the ground we’ll have an easier time attracting additional support.  We’re still searching for some willing partners to help get us to that point.”

Evans stresses the term partnership when talking about potential donors.  “We not just going around with our hand out asking for money.  We’re looking to build relationships with companies who will benefit from the partnership as well.”  Their work with Franciscan Health is a prime example.  SIYHA already receives medical services at games from the health network’s team of sports medicine professionals.  The arena’s training center would not only improve medical coverage for players but has the added potential to advance concussion prevention and treatment protocols for youth athletes worldwide.

Kuntz is quick to stress that the facility, like the organization, is a not-for-profit venture.  “It’s not about money.  It’s about the impact.  Profits from the Rink Of Dreams arena would go right back into programming and expanded opportunities for participation.  And with a little good fortune, the facility would generate enough revenue to help out other hockey programs around the state.”

The arena’s planning committee is currently exploring two potential locations and hopes to have a land agreement in place in the next few weeks.  “It’s an exciting time,” Kuntz exclaimed.  “The notion of finally breaking ground is less of a dream and more of a reality now.”  He also mentioned that it is a perfect time for supporters to join in.  “Obviously we need to generate a substantial amount of revenue in a very short time.  But it’s also a tremendous opportunity for prospective partners to have a meaningful and lasting impact on the community.”

SIYHA members realize they are taking a unique and difficult approach to solving their ice shortage problem… and it could be a very good thing for Indianapolis if they succeed.

Information about the Rink Of Dreams can be found on the project’s website at rinkofdreams.net.  Monetary donations can be made online, and additional fundraising opportunities are also available.  Prospective partners should contact SIYHA President Jeremy Kuntz at jeremykuntz@sbcglobal.net or Arena Committee Chair Paul Evans at paul@triskelionsports.com