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Over the past few years, L’Anse Meadowbrook Arena has had a couple of projects at the facility. But the arena’s largest project just wrapped up in time for open skating and winter activities. The arena’s new boards were funded by a 2022 Michigan DNR recreation passport grant worth 150,000 dollars.
The total project is approximately about $300,000. 50% of that was paid for through the passport grant program. So that helped cover half the costs of the boards and glass you see here, but also some of the other expenses, like the ADA parking that we have out front. Some of that was done as in-kind work that the village was able to do. Some of the stuff we’ve had, like the boards and glass here, was done by a contractor, Becker Arena Products. And they make boards and glass for all the NHL ice rinks and the majority of the college rinks that are out there. – Robert LaFave, Village Manager, Village of L’Anse
After seeing a similar project funded by the recreation passport grant program in Calumet. L’Anse began working toward achieving a grant award for the Meadowbrook Arena. Village Manager Robert LaFave adds that the Meadowbrook Arena has been a central spot for the village’s residents and others in the area for many years. The old boards show it too.
The previous ones were, I’m not sure exactly when they were installed in Lakeview Arena. We got them in the 1990s. They were well-loved, they were beaten up badly and braced in some cases because the boards were starting to fail. So we needed to do something. So what we have here is actually something that’s built specifically for the dimensions of our ice sheet, and it’s a brand new product with the latest technology, and it should be here for our community for decades to come. – Robert LaFave, Village Manager, Village of L’Anse
After the boards were installed and before open skating could start, Meadowbrook Arena Board called on volunteers to help paint the ice.
Well, it’s one of the reasons why this rink is so important because it offers our youth and even actually community members of all ages to recreate and continue to have fun and physical activity no matter what time of year it is. So this is a big part of winter recreation and part of the cultural heritage of our area as well. Ice skating has always been a huge part of our lifestyle here. – Robert LaFave, Village Manager, Village of L’Anse
Open skate at the L’Anse Meadowbrook arena starts tomorrow, and throughout the season occurs between 6 and 9 pm. Those interested in renting ice time at the facility should contact the L’Anse Meadowbrook Arena board. Find more information about the L’Anse Meadowbrook Arena here.
