The Oakland Arena, a longstanding fixture north of Portage, has recently undergone a significant transformation.
After years of fundraising and donations from the local community, the rink's dirt surface has been replaced with asphalt, a project that promises to bring year-round use to the facility. The renovations mark a major milestone for the arena, which has relied on natural ice and limited use due to the previous surface.
Ryan Kontzie, a member of the Oakland Rec Club Inc. expressed excitement about the new improvements.
“For years, the rink has been fundraising and saving to put asphalt or cement into the ice surface. We finally decided to go ahead with the project and the work was completed earlier this month."
The new asphalt surface will not only make it easier to maintain ice during the colder months but will also open up opportunities for the arena to be used for various community events throughout the year, something Kontzie is excited about.
“With the asphalt, there’ll be lots of different opportunities for events, whether it’s weddings, socials, or different types of sports. The community now has a versatile space that can serve a wide range of purposes beyond hockey."
While fundraising efforts have been happening for quite some time, the costly renovations require continued fundraising efforts. This weekend, area residents will come together for a fundraiser to help cover some of the costs of the project. Kontzie notes the event will have great food, a live auction, entertainment and more and will be held on the newly paved over surface.
It’s all about supporting the community and keeping the facility running,”
The Rec Club is anticipating a strong turnout as it looks to secure the arena’s future for years to come.