Calumet Copper Kings radio broadcaster Jeff Harju (left) interviews Andy Storm (middle) and Al Ayotte (right) at Gibson Cup Game 2 in April 2025.
Long before Laurium was constructed for George Gipp Ice Arena, Hockey, and ice skating were a part of growing up in Laurium. In 1976 the facility was built near the former Houghton County airport, establishing the George Gipp recreation area as a four-season site of community activity.
We need to start utilizing the space during the summer just as much as in winter. And I think the residents are going to like what they see regarding the space this summer. It truly is a community hub that brings everyone together. The youth little league takes pictures down there for the beginning of their season. So it truly is the hub of our community. – Ian Lewis, Village Manager, Villager of Laurium
For close to fifty years the arena’s condensers have provided a fresh sheet of ice for skaters each winter.
And that’s how old our ice chiller system, the ice condenser system is. So we’ve got more than our life out of the current system that’s down there. So now it’s time to start renovating and we’re gonna start putting some fresh paint all over the place and making it feel like a new building through renovation projects – Ian Lewis, Village Manager, Villager of Laurium.
Laurium councilor Jeff Erickson has led the effort to revitalize the space. He appears in an informative video created by the video explaining the extent of the George Gipp arena project. He has also led the charge to find donors connected to the community, who want to see hockey and ice skating continue in the community.
Andy Storm donated $75,000. However, other partners such as the Copper Shores Foundation, donated $50,000. Other entities, the hockey association are going to donate a significant amount of the village is putting in a significant amount of and then all these local individuals and business owners and people from to Gladstone have donated money to this fundraiser – Ian Lewis, Village Manager, Villager of Laurium.
Andy Storm recently donated 75,000 dollars toward the project’s phase one plans. Storm says he was humbled to have connected with Erickson for the donation. Added that he wanted to recognize a special community member with his donation, Al Ayotte, who volunteered at the arena, teaching young kids how to skate.
And I’m super grateful when I look back on growing up in the copper country, I’m very grateful for all of the individuals who dedicated time, energy, and money, in the form of giving what they could give to support local athletics and support youth in our community – Andy Storm, Former resident, Laurium.
Storm adds that recognizing individuals such as Ayotte celebrates the Copper Country’s commitment to each other and its communities.
And Al would every single morning, and I’m not exaggerating, every morning he would get up and be out there shoveling those sidewalks early in the morning for all those local businesses. And he always did it with a smile on his face. And so as I’ve gotten older and obviously you mature and you know, I’m raising a family of my own and you look around at society. And I just think of the spirit that all brings to. You know, calumet laurium and the spirit that he brings to the copper country. He’s someone who’s dedicated his entire life to helping other people. And I think it’s time that we as a community recognize all for the contributions that he’s made to all of us and to, our childhood and to our families and our community. And I think this is a nice way to celebrate and recognize Al and allow him to be part of what we’re doing. – Andy Storm, Former resident, of Laurium
Lewis says when fundraising for the phase is completed, the council will select project bids. He anticipates the project will finish in time and that the arena will use the new condensers next winter. Donate and support all three phases of the George Gipp Arena Revitalization here.
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