An indoor ice rink for Yankton was merely a dream of a small group in 2000. However, this group was dedicated to enhancing winter recreational activities in the Yankton area with an indoor ice rink to provide area residents of all ages and opportunity to "get off the couch". Hence, the Yankton Area Ice Association (YAIA) was formed and began applications to become a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
As the idea of an indoor ice rink was presented to the community, early reactions were skeptical and most asked, "Can't you skate outside?" The answer to this was no-recent mild winters in Yankton have provided only 32 days of outdoor ice from 2000-2005.
The plan of the small group of "dreamers" was fairly simple; create the demand for recreational ice skating, acquire the necessary rink equipment and finally find a location to erect a building to house an indoor ice rink. The costs to do fulfill this dream; between $500,000 and $750,000. Again, the plan was met with a good deal of skepticism.
To further prove the point it was becoming more and more difficult to skate outdoors and to also create a demand for skating, YAIA in conjunction with the City of Yankton Park and Recreation Department constructed a 75' x 175' outdoor hockey rink at Sertoma Park. When the weather did cooperate, many skated at the new outdoor rink.
The YAIA found another group looking for indoor ice-the University of South Dakota Coyote Club Hockey Team. The USD group had re-established itself in 2003, but had to travel to the new indoor facility Sioux Center, IA, nearly 60 miles one way. If Yankton could build the rink, USD would make the Yankton rink its home for practices and home games.
In 2002, with very little money in their bank account, some breaks starting to come together for YAIA. The group received a monumental call from the Mitchell Skating and Hockey Association as that group was working for new boards and glass for their arena, and wanted to donate their current boards and glass to the Yankton group. Secondly, used compressors and refrigeration equipment from Brookings were about to be scrapped, but they found their way to Yankton. Thirdly, a used "temporary" piping system from Valley City, ND was available and moved to Yankton and a used zamboni in Aberdeen was also acquired. The group had quickly amassed the necessary equipment for an indoor ice rink! Now all they needed was building large enough to house an 85' x 200' rink!
YAIA now had to find a location to build the indoor ice rink. No existing buildings in Yankton provided a clear free-span of 85' to house the rink. A new building was going to have to be built, and would run at least $500,000 in costs. Researching for nearly a year for a location, YAIA approached the Yankton County 4-H Clubs with an idea of a jointly owned facility that could house an indoor ice rink in the winter, but could also be used by the various 4-H Clubs in the summer months. The two groups decided this was a great idea and in February 2004, the groups announced their plans.
One major question remained; how to raise over $500,000?-bake sales and personal donations could only put a dent in the $500,000 goal. YAIA was approached by the Yankton Kiwanis Club-the club was looking for a "signature" project they could put their name one. Shortly, the Kiwanis Club donated $40,000. Secondly, Alcoa of Yankton was looking to assist with the project and $50,000 was given by the Alcoa Foundation. The momentum quickly rolled as the Yankton business community was solicited and showed their spirit, support and vision for this project. Financing was obtained by the Yankton area banks and in August of 2004, it was announced that the Kiwanis 4-H Youth Activities Center and Alcoa Arena were to be built entirely with private funds and would be completed by the spring of 2005!
The rest is history; 4-H Clubs used the facility in the summer of 2005. December 9, 2005 the USD Coyotes hosted the Dordt College Blades for the historical first hockey game in Yankton. On December 23, 2005, the first public open skate session was held. January 28, 2005 Yankton hosted its first youth hockey game against Mitchell-the same group who first donated their boards and glass for the Alcoa Arena. When the last public skate session was held on March 5, 2006 7,000 skaters attended the public sessions, 3,000 spectators viewed USD and Yankton youth hockey games and 3,000 visitors used the facility for private rentals.
Some lifetime residents have told members of the YAIA that the rink was the best project ever completed in Yankton. Yes we are proud of our accomplishments; but we are more proud of the Yankton community and businesses that saw our 'vision' and gave with their hearts to make this dream a reality.