Ice rink gets foundation grant for resurfacer

The Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded a Major Community Project Grant of $30,000 to the Stumptown Ice Den. The grant was announced as a surprise at the Great Fish awards presentation Oct. 10.

The Stumptown Ice Den, which opened in 2003, hosts thousands of children and adults for figure skating and hockey programs as well as public skating. During the summer they host several hockey and figure skating camps for families from across the U.S. and Canada, including an NHL hockey prospect camp.

The Major Community Grant will help purchase an electric ice resurfacer that will replace the aging propane fueled resurfacer. Total cost of the project will come to $129,000 with the charging station and training. Stumptown Ice Den also participated in the Great Fish Community Challenge raising $66,135 in public donations and received and additional $9,800 in matching funds from Whitefish Community Foundation. Stumptown Ice Den (formally known as the Whitefish Sports Facility Foundation) took over management of the ice den from the city of Whitefish four years ago and has successfully run the rink as a year-round ice arena.

“We are so grateful for the Whitefish Community Foundation’s $30,000 major grant” Stumptown General Manager Greg Harms said. “Over the past four years, the Stumptown Ice Den has invested in energy-saving technologies and practices that have cut our overall utilities expenses in half. With zero emissions and an operating cost 95% less than our current propane powered machine, the new electric ice resurfacer will continue that trend and help keep the rink affordable for the community.” 

Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded over $559,000 in Major Community Project Grants since the program’s inception in 2010. The Whitefish Community Foundation board of directors selects a project that they think will have a significant and positive effect on the community. The foundation awards several types of grants throughout the year.

The Community Grant Program is open for applications until Oct. 31. For more information about the Whitefish Community Foundation visit www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or call 406-863-1781.