Ahmeek Ice Rink Fundraiser Brings the Community Together to Save the Community Asset

On to the next step. Last night the Keweenaw Community Foundation presented a 100000 dollar check to the Allouez Township to replace the old board sheeting in the Emil Aho Memorial Ice Rink. Over 100 donors mostly from the local area contributed to the fundraising. Keweenaw Community Foundation Executive Director Robin Menneguzzo says that the 100,000 dollars set a big goal for the community, and to accomplish that in less than six months shows the strength of Ahmeek’s residents.

“Those different foundations have been very generous. We had a lot of businesses and local individuals giving. Some of our largest gifts came from DeMarios Logging, Lori Hamlin, Pat Foods, and Mr. Philip Ruppe, as some of the individuals who gave in addition to the James Ruppe Foundation. So we were very blessed by some generous donations from them. But we wanted to make sure that anyone who gave got recognition. So the list of names we did publicize. In addition, all of these names will be on plaques that will be erected inside of the warming shack. – Robin Menneguzzo, Executive Director, Keweenaw Community Foundation

The majority of the funds will go toward the boards themselves, while a small portion will help protect the board advertisements.

The boards that are currently there were actually from the Calumet Armory when they redid their boards. But those boards were for indoor rinks. And so did not have what it takes to hold up to elements, which is why if you do get the boards that are made for outdoor rings, they’re very pricey. And so the boards alone, the total of that was like $95,000 to put those boards in. So that was the almost entirety of that funding. In addition, what we wanted to do is buy something to allow the protection of those boards, which will also double as the ability to provide a way to create revenue for the rink to keep up with operations for sponsorships and advertising for local businesses and things. So that was another thing that was added to the cost. – Robin Menneguzzo, Executive Director, Keweenaw Community Foundation

Originally built in 1984, the Ahmeek Ice Rink had a few upgrades in the 1990s and 2019. In late 2023 the community came together to raise funds to purchase new boards from Becker Arena Products. The well-loved community rink has held countless hockey pick-up games and nights of skating with the family.

“And since then, it just has continued to be such a source of community, a place of coming together. People have their birthday parties at the warming shack and, you know, rent the ice. And I think that, because we have long winters and hockey and skating are such big pastimes in our community that this is just a really important asset. And the thought that we could potentially lose it was enough  to get things started. That just based on the fact that we were able to raise almost $100,000 in six months is pretty phenomenal. So I think that speaks for itself as to how important this is because most of the money raised was by our local community.” – Robin Menneguzzo, Executive Director, Keweenaw Community Foundation

The Allouez Township has put a down payment for the board order already. The group of Ahmeek IceRink volunteers in charge of installing the upgrade will hope to complete the work by the fall. So kids and families can return to the ice and enjoy a copper country winter in Ahmeek.

We anticipate the work to begin this summer on taking the current boards down, removing those, and then getting the next one installed. So the goal is by the fall to have that work completed. So that way when the snow flies at the end of the year, we’re ready to get kids out there and using the rink. – Robin Menneguzzo, Executive Director, Keweenaw Community Foundation

Keweenaw Community Foundation says that the Ahmeek Ice Rink was a unique campaign for the group, having taken a larger role in the project’s organization. In the past, the foundation has worked with various endowment funds and granting foundations to support small groups accomplishing large projects for the community. Those interested in viewing a full list of the Emil Aho Memorial Ice Rink donors can find more details here. Including more information about the Keweenaw Community Foundation.