NCW Sports Rink gains funding, support

PATEROS—The NCW Sports Rink and Event Center is gaining momentum from both support and funding as it pursues its goal of creating a home for itself in Pateros. The proponents delivered a presentation to the city planning committee and school board members, which was then discussed at the August meeting of the city council.

Councilmember and planning committee member Holly Bange summarized the meeting.

Bange noted that the rink has received more than $600,000 of funding, including:

• $50,000 from the USDA Rural Development for a feasibility study.
• $250,000 from the state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO).
• $367,000 from USDA.

The $250K grant was a portion of $4.7 million in 2023 RCO grants to help communities plan for outdoor recreation facilities. The Legislature first funded the Planning for Recreation Access grant program in 2021 as a means to fund planning projects in communities that lack adequate access to outdoor recreation opportunities. 

The sports rink is described as a nonprofit refrigerated NHL-size hockey rink that would also serve as a venue for warm-weather activities. The feasibility study completed in 2022 by Portland, Oregon-based consulting firm ECONorthwest is patterned after the Winthrop Rink and includes options for summer league sports as well. The 6,000 sq. ft. facility would feature a complex with spectator seating and rooms for changing, showers, lockers, and related uses. 

Mayor Kelly Hook and City Administrator Jord Wilson visited the Winthrop Rink “to see firsthand what it looks like and to look at their operation.” Hook said.

“Í was impressed,” said Hook. “They are extremely interested and supportive of the city allowing this to happen…it would tie in with theirs.”

Hook said that while other communities, like Leavenworth and Omak, have considered a similar rink, the nearest one is in Wenatchee.

Bange said discussions are underway to nail down a specific location. High among those possibilities is a portion of the eight-acre parcel owned by the school district that has been previously considered for additional sports fields.

For now, the project remains a “moving target” according to Bange as the school district, city, and other potential interests address the many details yet to be worked out.

“The concept of year-round activity would be a large portion of the plan,” said Bange.

Hook agreed.

“We don’t need anything sitting idle for six or seven months out of the year,” Hook said.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media