How Maple Grove’s New Ice Sheet Could Boost Local Tourism
A new year has brought a new addition to the Maple Grove Community Center.
“It’s just been super exciting to kind of see the first phase open up,” said Chuck Stifter, Maple Grove’s parks and recreation director.
“Exciting” because it provides a much-needed third sheet of ice for figure skating and youth hockey.
“Both of those groups are the largest in the state of Minnesota, for sure,” said Stifter. “The use and demand on this facility is high. They’re anxious to get their hours here. They’ve been renting outside of this facility, so it’s nice to bring them home into their community and to utilize this space now.”
This new TruStone Financial Rink was made possible thanks to a half-cent sales tax approved by Maple Grove voters in 2022 (which generates $90 million), and a big contribution from the Osseo-Maple Grove Hockey Association.
“They’re contributing over $4 million to this project, so it’s a hefty contribution on their part,” said Stifter.
The TruStone Financial Rink at the Maple Grove Community Center opened Jan. 2.
Economic impact on Maple Grove
Officials from the city’s marketing organization say the hefty contribution will have a big trickle-down effect.
“Hotel room nights will increase because of this,” said Greg Anzelc, executive director of Experience Maple Grove. “People love coming to Maple Grove. Our incredible restaurant scene, our park systems.”
Anzelc said the new TruStone Financial Rink will give the city an advantage as they look to attract multi-day hockey tournaments.
“Hosting tournaments in communities is something that can be extremely valuable from an economic impact standpoint,” added Anzelc. “That’s why Maple Grove has bid on USA Hockey national tournaments in the past. It’s not only fun to showcase our great hockey program and our community center, but also it does drive hotel stays, it puts people in the restaurants and it puts Maple Grove on the map.”
Meanwhile, the rink itself may be finished, but crews still have more work to do on things like the lobby and concession areas. Construction will likely be finished by March 1.
“This is definitely going to be a premier facility in the region,” said Stifter.
That new ice sheet was part of phase one. The city is also looking ahead to phase two of the community center renovation.
Phase two includes a new community center entrance, a new activity and aquatics center (which will replace the current Life Time space), an outdoor aquatics area, as well as a new banquet hall
The total cost of the project is estimated at roughly $72 million.
The city plans to seek bids from contractors this spring.
