Our Project
With the help of the City of Ponderay and local donations, NIICE has initiated the building of a permanent ice arena at the Field of Dreams. Land has been acquired, initial foundation work, as well as infrastructure to the facility are being provided through the Ponderay Local Option Tax. Dasher boards and glass have been purchased. This is progress and represents many of the hard goods needed to complete phase one of our plan; a naturally chilled ice rink for the winter of 2024/25.
Phase 1a
Since the inception of our organization, we have been focused on bringing an attainable, affordable, and achievable ice surface to Bonner County. We've researched many possibilities and have what we feel is the best solution...
Envisioned is an outdoor rink that can be erected in the Fall of 2024. This includes a rink, boards, a chiller, a zamboni, and 300 pairs of rental skates. It will be a seasonal, ancillary rink. This fills an immediate need while a full-size rink is designed and built on the Field of Dreams. Once the Field of Dreams is up and running, this smaller, ancillary rink will be moved to its permanent location adjacent to the main rink. This will allow for increased capacity at the holidays as well as greater access for the public.
- Locate and procure temporary/permanent location - Completed
- Infrastructure - In process
- Boards - Purchased
- Chiller - Purchased
- Zamboni - Purchased
- Rental Skates - Purchased
Estimate Total 165 - 200K
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!
Phase 1
At this point, the first and second phases of this project have been combined. Through the use of a chilling unit, there will be increased days available to skate through consistent ice temperature and better ice quality. This requires a significant investment, but several needs have been completed. The land, dirt work, infrastructure, are being provided through the City of Ponderay and the Field of Dreams funded through LOT taxes. Our goal is to have a rink of this type ready for use in the Fall/Winter. Based on previous weather patterns, the ice will be useable for 35-50 days per season.
- Locate and procure temporary/permanent location - Completed*
- Infrastructure - Completed*
- Purchase of perimeter boards and glass - $35000 - Completed*
- 200x85 Liner
- Shipping Containers (storage) - $10000 - Completed*
- Concrete Foundation
- Chiller Mats
- Glycol Refrigerant
- Used/New Chiller Unit
- Zamboni
Estimate Total 1.5 - 2.0M
*Purchased by the City of Ponderay for use at the Field of Dreams
Phase 2
Temperature as well as precipitation both negatively impact the ice. In phase 2 we will focus once again on increasing the number of usable days through putting a cover over the ice surface keeping precipitation away. The entire structure consists of a modular design. This will allow for the addition of walls, locker rooms, foyer, restrooms, concessions as deemed appropriate. The estimates included are for a steel structure without amenities.
- Steel Cover Package - $277,000
- Erection of Steel Cover - $200,000
Phase 3
Chillers and coverings to keep the sun off the ice are important steps toward maintaining and providing skateable ice. The final step in this project is to fully enclose a rink which will control the environment fully and allow for year-round skating opportunities. We are currently researching designs that can best fulfill these needs as well as those of the City of Ponderay and the Field of Dreams Facility.
- Fully Enclosed Rink - TBD