When the hockey season opens at the Calumet Colosseum, the rink will be encircled by new boards, glass and netting.
The renovations, including some modifications to the rink itself, cost roughly $180,000, paid for by local donations and some grants.
It was the last piece of a major overhaul of the 103 year old arena.
Calumet Hockey Association’s Board of Directors trustee John Carroll said, “This upgrade’s very important to the Colosseum. This has been part of a capital campaign that we’ve had ongoing for about five years now. First, we installed a new ice plant. We got a new zamboni a couple of years ago and now this is the last major effort of upgrading the Colosseum.”
The old boards and glass were installed in 1969, along with the original ice plant, so it was well past time for the upgrades.
The Calumet Hockey Association is conducting a fundraising drive to help pay for the boards and glass.
Carroll said, “With this fundraising campaign going on, people can sponsor sections of the new boards and glass.”
They’ve already raised over $50,000, which means they are half way to their goal of $100,000.
More information about the fundraising effort can be found at www.calumethockey.org.