Page 18 - Flathead Beacon // 10.22.14

18 | OCTOBER 22, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM Nonprofit Organization Assumes Control of Adult Ice Hockey League
Board forms to oversee management of Whitefish hockey leagues, tournaments, taking reins from city
By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Beacon
The adult hockey leagues at the Stumptown Ice Den are being run by a new nonprofit organization that as- sumed control of the popular leagues and tournaments from Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department ear- lier this month.
The Whitefish Adult Ice Hockey Association will continue to offer pickup games, adult hockey leagues and adult hockey tournaments.
The Stumptown Ice Den is owned and operated by the City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Depart- ment, and its popular Adult Hockey Leagues date back to the fall of 2005.
They’ve since become a staple of hockey life in the Flathead valley, and is the largest user group at Stump- town Ice Den, drawing 186 members this season and signed a $75,000 contract with the city.
Henry Roberts, president of the Whitefish Adult Ice Hockey Association, said seven annual tournaments draw hockey players from throughout North America and is a boon to the local economy.
He said the formation of the Whitefish Adult Ice Hockey Association gives the players more control in how the leagues are managed, and was prompted by a reduction in city employees with experience in ice management.
They have since hired a new facilities manager with a long history of ice management.
A young skater takes a break on a bucket during the Learn to Skate event at the Stumptown Ice Den. BEACON FILE FILE PHOTO
“I think they have made some great moves and ad- justments,” Roberts said. “We’re happy as far as adult hockey goes. We are a pretty low-maintenance group. We want our ice to be in good shape and that’s about it.”
Adult league hockey began at the beginning of Oc-
tober, with tournaments running through April.
For more information about activities and a sched- ule of ice time at Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish, visit
www.stumptowniceden.com.
[email protected]
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