Mission Valley Ice Arena edges closer to reality

A year-around ice rink in Polson edged much closer to reality recently when local developer Mike Maddy and his wife, Marlo, deeded a 1.18 acre lot at their Ridgewater Development to the Mission Valley Ice Arena Association.

“We are thrilled that we reached a fundraising threshold at which the lot has been fully gifted,” said MVIAA board member Chuck Wall.

The nonprofit Mission Valley Ice Arena Association was formed a decade ago by local folks with a passion for ice sports — skating, hockey, curling, and ice dancing. The project caught the eye of the Maddys, who recognized the value of an ice arena in the community, and pledged a lot close to the Aquatics Center in the Ridgewater Development.

Subsequently, Polson Youth Soccer developed their fields nearby, helping to transform the former lumberyard into a sports complex.

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.

“Thanks to substantial donations from a group with local ties, we can begin construction in earnest,” said board member and treasurer Carmine Mowbray. “We will need help from the community to put the finishing touches on the facility, and people are stepping forward with donations.”

The project is expected to cost $5 million, and MVIAA has raised just over $4 million so far, thanks to a group with close ties to Polson and many local donors.

Mowbray noted that one generous year-end gift came from long-time supporters Jens and Jackie Gran of Polson.

Another, announced this week, came from the Greater Polson Community Foundation, which will award a $3,000 “Trust-Based” grant on Feb. 14. These special grants are not project specific and may be used for general operating purposes.

According to Wall, the grant application had to demonstrate intent toward furthering the goals of the foundation “to make Polson the gem of Flathead Lake.”

“This ice arena will go one step further by making the Mission Valley the gem of the Northwest,” he said.

The Greater Polson Community Foundation has awarded MVIAA project grants in the past for broom-ball and street hockey equipment. Those funds have helped the organization host seasonal outdoor sport events in Polson and at Ronan’s Lights Under the Big Sky, enticing families to engage in active, friendly competitions.

“We are thrilled that the Foundation selected us this year,” said Mowbray. “We’ll leverage this gift toward our architectural expense.”

Local hockey players, who are some of the MVIAA’s most fervent supporters, are excited about the future of ice sports in the Mission Valley.

“A community rink will save many of us hockey enthusiasts a lot of winter driving to and from rinks in Missoula, Kalispell and Whitefish,” said board member Jamie Buhr.

Board chair Hillary Lozar, another longtime hockey player, predicts “arena activity will bring an economic boost to Polson when it’s needed most.”

And most importantly, “Just think of the fun kids and adults alike from our valley and afar will have in a real ice arena!”

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.

The next fundraising event is March 10 at Glacier Brewery in Polson, and features entertainment by the Montana ShamRockers from 6-8 p.m. Donations of items for a silent auction are welcome in advance. Call Lozar at 406-207-2998.

Mission Valley Ice Arena Association is a registered nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 333, Polson, or made on the website, www.missionvalleyicearena.com. See MVIAA’s Facebook page for more details.