To create an opportunity for additional, diverse, recreational activity, and fitness, through ice sports to the communities of Bonner County.
11/22/2024
Over the last month we have been busy turning the ice sheet into a community ice rink. There is now a shed that will house rentals and the Zamboni. Lights have been installed both in the ice and above the ice for nighttime use. The first stages of the deck are complete. Most importantly... There is ice!! The weather has caused difficulties with making and maintaining the ice but we are on planning on opening Black Friday (11/29/2024) with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony.
We would also like to give a big "Thank You" to the donors, volunteers, and support that we have gotten from the community. We are still accepting donations and there are still some sponsorship opportunities available. All funds go directly to making the rink!
10/29/2024
If you haven't noticed, there's been a lot of activity in the last month on the "Pond"! The chiller is set, boards are up, and we are working on getting ready to open late November. Currently, a deck is being built that is safe for skates. It will also meet up with the rental shop and Zamboni garage that is set to be installed early November. Stop by and check it out!
Once again, donations are still needed. There is a lot of expenses that arise on a daily basis getting this community rink up and running. You can donate here or on our "GoFundMe" page (Fundraiser by North Idaho Ice : Ponderay Community Ice Rink). All donations go directly toward our project and are tax deductible!
New pictures of the progress in the Photo Gallery!
9/5/2024
We are moving forward with the seasonal rink! Dirt work has begun. We will soon be moving equipment to the location and starting to set up the rink for the upcoming season!
Donations are still needed! While we have purchased the "necessities", skate safe mats, decking, seating, changing rooms as well as other amenities should be put in place to ensure a good experience and keep skates/equipment in good working order.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available! We have several levels to accommodate different needs and desires. See our "Sponsorship" page or contact us for more information.
All donations are tax deductible. advertising on the dasher boards! 5/2024
7/2/2024
STCU, NIICE, and the City of Ponderay are getting set to bring ice skating to the community this winter with “The Pond”! NIICE has recently purchased a commercial grade skate sharpener to help prepare the 300 pairs of rental skates that will be available to the public. In addition, we will be able to sharpen personal skates as well! This new service will be $10 which covers our cost as well as a makes a small donation toward skating locally. Additionally, we still have sponsorship options available. All proceeds go directly toward putting our community on the ice. Contact Travis at niicearena@outlook.com, Tim at tim@niicearena.com, or through this website for more information.
6/3/2024
We at North Idaho Ice and the City of Ponderay would like to extend a huge thank you to all those that made our fundraiser a success. This first event went extremely well and just over $30K was donated that will go straight toward getting our community on the ice! None of this would be possible without your support.
We’d also like to acknowledge the over 400 people who wanted to attend but were unable to because it sold out. This has been a learning experience for all of us and the support for this event was overwhelming. For those of you that didn't get to attend, stay tuned, additional events are on the way! Register for our email list on our website by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page to receive updates and information about upcoming events!
If you are interested in donating to this cause, donation, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities are located on our website (niicearena.com). There’s also a GoFundMe (Fundraiser by North Idaho Ice : Ponderay Community Ice Rink (gofundme.com)).
5/25/24
We’re getting close to our June 1st fundraiser and there are just 27 seats left! Get your tickets now before they sell out at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ponderay-community-ice-rink-fundraiser-tickets-908514349877?aff=oddtdtcreator!
North Idaho Ice and the City of Ponderay, have been behind the scenes working hard to ensure that there is a community skating rink not only for the upcoming season, but also for years to come! Help us raise the needed funds by attending our first fundraising event. This event will be held at the Ponderay Events Center on Saturday June 1st from 7-10pm and is catered by Ivano’s. There will be a silent auction with gift baskets from local businesses, a dessert auction containing some sweet treats and a live auction featuring some really cool items. We’re looking forward to a great night geared towards raising money for this awesome new community amenity which will open in Ponderay in November 2024.
Purchase individual tickets by using the link below or contact us for other sponsorship opportunities! See you on the ice!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ponderay-community-ice-rink-fundraiser-tickets-908514349877?aff=oddtdtcreator
North Idaho Ice – Public Ice Skating Rink – Sandpoint, Idaho (niicearena.com)
4/11/24
The city of Ponderay and NIICE are continuing to push forward! A deposit has been provided on a 130x80 outdoor chilled rink to be used in the upcoming Fall/Winter. This is a seasonal rink that will be up and running this fall.
To have an ice sheet up and going for this upcoming winter, a 25K deposit was made on a 130x80’ rink, a Zamboni, a chiller, and 300 pairs of rental skates. Total purchase is 160K of which the balance is to be paid by May 2025. We anticipate an additional 40K in site preparation will be needed (access, parking, level grade for the ice sheet). The City of Ponderay has provided a temporary location at the corner of Highway 200 and Kootenai Cutoff.
Typical rental fees for seasonal rinks run 75-80K per season. We felt that outright purchase made better sense and minimizes wasted resources. A “rent to own” type of agreement was entered into to make this possible. At this point, we are seeking gifts and donations for the initial setup and to keep this facility in Ponderay!
The hope is that the LOT for the City of Ponderay passes this upcoming November and we are moving forward with a four-season rink not long after. The seasonal rink that is to be set up this fall will become an ancillary rink once the larger, four-season rink is completed.
3/10/24
We (NIICE and the City of Ponderay) have been closely aligned and working diligently on bringing ice to our area. We’ve spent countless hours putting this plan in motion. This is coming together quickly at this point. Our initial vision of a completely modular approach was well met. Several game plans have been utilized and each has been a learning experience. At this point we’d like to move ahead and purchase a rink that can be put up for the upcoming fall (2024). While this is not modular and won’t be a part of the final design, it will continue to be utilized indefinitely. An immediate need will be filled by getting an ice sheet on the ground and operational. As this dream is realized (a full-size, four-season rink) this ancillary rink will be used to provide holiday skating for the community and general overflow. The negotiations start at 165K. Included is a 138x80 rink, dashers, mats, 300 pairs of rental skates, and a chiller.
The City of Ponderay is providing a location for the rink. This will most likely be at the intersection of highway 200 and Kootenai Cutoff. There will be power wherever this temporary location is. If the LOT passes, there will be a larger rink at the FOD. This “ancillary” rink will provide a second sheet for the community allowing less interruptions to scheduled rink time for holiday and open skating. In summary, the rink NIICE is intending to buy is NOT a temporary rink, it is an ancillary rink. It will fill a need until the larger rink is built and will placed in a highly visible location. This will allow for marketing and awareness, opening doors to donations toward the full sheet of ice. Once the full-size rink is constructed, this smaller rink is planned be moved to the FOD and used as an additional ice surface to be used in peak season, holiday events, overflow.
There has been a dream of having ice in the area for 20 plus years. We now have an attainable, affordable, achievable way to get that done as well as the support of the Ponderay City Council. This plan fills the short-term need while also planning for a more comprehensive vision of a full-size, four-season rink. Donations in excess of those needed for the ancillary rink will be put toward the main FOD rink. We see this as a great gateway to building a following, developing associations, and growing usage to support the larger rink. As with any new venture, it takes time to attain a user group. We see this need growing quickly.
10/31/2023
Update – NIICE and the City of Ponderay are continuing to work toward an ice arena at the Field of Dreams. As of today, an ice arena is included in phase 2 of the Field of Dreams buildout. We continue to move forward and are currently working funding through grants, donations, and endowments. Additionally, we will continue develop renderings, construction estimates, and updates to our business plan.
See the new Images and Renderings under "Our Project"!!!
Thank you Matt Kerr of SOK Architecture and Design Studio for your time, input, dedication this project!
Keep checking in for updates!
You can see what each phase entails along with where we are at and some cost estimates for each phase on our webpage www.NIICEArena.com. We are able to take donations on or website so please take a moment to have a look at what we are doing and make a donation to help us complete Phase 1: a chilling system and Zamboni.
See you on the ice!
Copyright © 2024 North Idaho Ice - All Rights Reserved.
Home Ice: Ponderay-Sandpoint-Bonner County