Eccles Ice Center still going strong after 2002 Olympic Games
After opening its doors to the world by hosting athletes training for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, the Eccles Ice Center has become an integral part of Cache Valley.
“We brought the Olympic athletes to Cache Valley so the community could be part of the Olympics,” said Ice Center executive director and manager Janet Borg. “From the day I first envisioned an indoor ice facility, I wanted it to be for the entire community.”
There are programs offered for a variety of interests and ages at the Ice Center. Borg said one of her favorites is the Hot Chocolate Club. It’s a family club that has expanded its group of friends, and now they socialize on and off the ice.
Another popular organization has been the school outreach program. There have been more than 8,000 kindergarten through 12th-graders in the valley participate so far, all with varying degrees of skating ability.
“Most of the students have never skated before,” Borg said. “We’ve introduced a large number of people to a new, enjoyable activity. That’s what this is for.”
Along with other group and individual programs, the Utah State University hockey club and the first ever women’s hockey team in Cache Valley call the Ice Center home.
High school hockey will also start for the first time in the valley. The local schools have combined to form a team that will compete against the Salt Lake high school hockey leagues. Youth hockey is also available for younger skaters.
USU offers a one-credit class in beginning figure skating and hockey for students who want to learn how to skate. Borg said the popular class usually fills up quickly.
Figure skating lessons are offered through the Ice Center.
Although the Ice Center has been open for just under two years, the facility is still not complete.
“We need to raise $2 million more to finish everything completely,” Borg said. “Our immediate goal is to raise $500,000 for more bleachers and our air-handling units.”
So far, the fund raising has been going well.
“I think it’s because all of our programs have been so successful,” she said. “Other organizations want to be part of a community-based operation that is enhancing the quality of life in an area, and we are doing that.”
With six full-time and 19 part-time employees and a large overhead, the Ice Center is still not quite able to meet its day-to-day financial obligations.
“We knew when we started our funding would be short for the first few years,” she said. “Our budget projections have been right on target so far. By the fourth year I think we will be able to cover our operating expenses by the income generated from our programs.”
Along with the hockey teams, the feature program this year will be the Christmas show. The program will feature local skaters who have been honing their skating skills at the Ice Center.
“This show will be entertaining and a lot of fun,” Borg said. “There will be a couple of skaters we’ll bring in to skate along with the local skaters. It’s going to be great. It’s something people of all ages can enjoy. It’s a great way to get some exercise and it’s cheaper than a movie.”
-eds@cc.usu.edu