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Early in 2024, Hancock finalized the city’s purchase and takeover of the Houghton County Arena. Now called the HoCo Arena, the city worked with the former Portage Lake Multi-Educational Service Group to transition the site into the city’s hands. As Hancock enters 2025, City Manager Mary Babcock says the one-dollar sale was well worth it.
“We took over and handled all necessary repairs. We agreed to keep it as an ice arena, and if it ever changes, we would have to work with the county. The Portage Lake Multi-Educational Service Group, a nonprofit that ran the arena for over 20 years, transitioned their funding to the city. We have that in a special account for capital improvements, and they provided a capital improvement list for the next five and ten years,” said Babcock.
The arena still houses the MSU Extension office and the Houghton County Fair board, both vital to the community’s 4-H program. Hancock has also rented space to Ariens snowblowers and uses the nearby baseball field for product testing. DPW Director and Arena Manager John Erickson says the city completed several projects to enhance the community space over the past year.
“The arena was in great shape when we took it over. This past summer, the DPW guys redid the men’s and women’s bathrooms, installing new supports, toilets, sinks, and urinals, bringing everything up to code. We also made smaller improvements, like getting a new Zamboni, redoing some locker rooms, repainting, and adding new benches. We eventually moved the Hancock locker rooms to the old Finlandia locker rooms,” said Erickson.
He added, “With the new sign up and lit, we’ve received many compliments. The corner sign will also be lit once we get the power run to it. We’re adding more lights in the parking lot and plan to install security cameras inside and outside.”
Michael Ruohoniemi helps groups and individuals schedule events, rentals, and ice time at the HoCo. He says the rink and open skating were a welcome addition to the area’s recreation opportunities over the summer.
“Pretty much every Friday and Sunday, when we have open skate for the public, it’s full. There are a lot of people here, and it’s free to the public and the community,” said Ruohoniemi. “We try to accommodate as much as we can. The Dave Wiitanen room, which has a capacity of about 100, is available for events like baby showers. My wife and her friends had their showers here. If you rent the ice for a skating party, we can offer you one of these rooms as well.”
Going into 2025, Hancock plans to improve the arena’s ADA accessibility, including work on the Wiitanen Room elevator. Babcock says the city has space available for local businesses to advertise on the arena’s boards. Those interested in learning more about the City of Hancock’s takeover of the HoCo Arena and plans for 2025 can find more details online.
For booking, facilities scheduling or current rental rates contact:
Facilities Manager
906.482.4387
To schedule ice, or for all other communications, email:
arena@cityofhancock.com
In addition to hockey activities over the seasons the arena has hosted many events including receptions, reunions, county fair, circus, auctions, garden shows, boat shows and perhaps this year, your event!
Copper Country Junior Hockey Association
Check out the rest of this week’s Holiday Open Skate schedule for the HoCo Arena! Get the kids out of the house to burn off some energy at the HoCo!
- Thursday, January 2nd – 11 am to 1 pm
- Friday January 3rd – 11 am to 1 pm
- Friday, January 3rd — 6:45 to 8 pm (regular time)
- Sunday, January 5th – 5:45 – 7 pm (regular time)
+++All kids under the age of 12 yo must be accompanied by an adult+++
