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Groton, South Dakota |
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Groton, South Dakota |
| About the new ice skating rink, warming house project | |||
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General Information Information for Skaters The
new warming house is done!
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Thanks to outstanding community support and the determination of the Carnival of Silver Skates committee, the new warming house is completed and is being enjoyed by many!
Background The
former ice skating rink was located in the central part of town on
the east side of Groton
Project meant bittersweet progress The
former rink opened in 1938, the first year the Carnival was held. “The moving of the rink is bittersweet for some of
us with fond memories of ice skating on the old pond growing up,”
said Liz (Hoffman) Doeden of Groton.“ But this was a great
opportunity to carry forward a long-standing and valued The new location of the ice skating rink is on Third Avenue West, three blocks west of Broadway Street/Highway 37. It is across the street to the southeast of Groton's baseball complex. It
was determined it was not logical or feasible to move the old
warming house because of its deteriorating condition. The City
agreed to provide the site for a new building, excavation work, and
water, sewer and electrical services up to the building site. But
with a tight City budget, just $25,000 was available for a new
building. In the meantime, the Groton Soccer Association (GSA) asked the Carnival committee to partner with them in helping the City develop a multi-use facility. A building committee of representatives from both organizations was formed. Chris Hanson, representing the Carnival of Silver Skates, and Duane Kavanaugh, representing the GSA, were appointed as co-chairs of the building committee. Jim Lane, representing the Carnival of Silver Skates, agreed to coordinate the construction of the project. The needs for the new structure were prioritized: a warming house for the City’s open ice skating program and the annual Carnival, a clubhouse with locker rooms of sorts for soccer, storage for Carnival costumes and other property such as the backdrop and sleigh, and restrooms for both types of activities. Planning began, and we soon learned our organizations would need to raise at least $50,000 in addition to the City’s contribution to make this new site a reality. Fundraising Efforts Because of the generosity of community businesses, organizations and individuals and through much hard fundraising work, we got the money raised. Together with the GSA, we hosted a basketball tournament. We solicited donations from area businesses and organizations in a letter campaign. We sold products and raffle tickets. The Carnival of Silver Skates committee and skaters’ families held two Tours of Tables and a Tour of Gardens. We also solicited funds from Carnival alumni. On behalf of both the Carnival of Silver Skates and the Groton Soccer Association, we extend a huge thanks to the generous contributors listed below. We also express deep gratitude to everyone who helped organize and supported the many fundraisers we held. Please note these lists of contributions do not include the extensive but undocumented giving of Carnival of Silver Skates committee members and skating and soccer families while preparing for and participating in all of the fundraising events. We have an extremely generous Carnival executive board and committee, plus many skating and soccer families who were instrumental in our success. There were undoubtedly hundreds more in the community who gave in other ways to make this new facility a reality. Thank you to all! “Gold” Level Contributors – gifts of $5,000 or more Groton Veterinary Clinic, $5,000 American Legion Post #39, $2,500 Larry & Valerie Fliehs, $1,000 Other Large Contributors - gifts of $100 to $999 Virginia Abeln, $500 Very special thanks also go to the following businesses and organizations which made sizeable contributions to the building fund following fundraisers conducted in partnership with the Carnival of Silver Skates (CSS) and Groton Soccer Association (GSA) at the invitation of these businesses and organizations. We would not have been successful in our fundraising goals had it not been for these wonderful supporters.
Additionally, we would like to thank the following area businesses who were instrumental in helping us with Carnival of Silver Skates fundraisers such as the Tours of Tables, Tour of Gardens and raffle ticket sales by helping us advertise the events and sell tickets for us.
Construction Project As mentioned above, the City of Groton provided the land for the new site; sewer, water and electrical service up to the site; and the final excavation work. With the exception of contracting with Kampa Construction, McGannon Plumbing and Heating, and Locke Electric for the concrete, plumbing and electrical work, the new warming house was built by and large with volunteer labor. Without these volunteers, this project simply would not have been possible:
There were many individuals who gave several hours here and there to help, and it all did help immensely. But there was a small group of extremely dedicated volunteers who spent countless hours working to get this building ready in time for skating season, including Craig, Tom and Luke Sternhagen; Joy, Chad, Alec and Whitney Voss; Cody Hanten; Chris, Vince and Miranda Hanson; Steve, Carol, Sam, Marah, Luke, Erin, AnneMarie and Isaac Smith; and Jim, Melodee, Lincoln, Logan and Marshall Lane. An extra big thanks goes from Carnival co-chairs Carol Smith and Melodee Lane to their husbands, Steve Smith and Jim Lane, for being leads on the construction project and for their dedication and determination to seeing it completed in time for skating season and the 2010 Carnival. After the finishing touches are completed at the new warming house, there will be a “volunteer board” inside the building, signed by everyone who volunteered their time to help build the warming house. If you helped in any way and have not yet signed the board, please make sure you do so. Thank you to Aberdeen’s Modern Woodmen of America for the donation of the six trees (three in 2009 and three in 2010) which were planted at the new site, the beginning of landscaping work. Additional trees planted around the rink were earned through a grant the City of Groton received; the trees were cared for and planted by CSS and GSA volunteers. The Jim & Melodee Lane family donated, planted and cared for the rows of seedling trees planted on the southeast edge of the new site. A big thanks is also extended to John Wheeting and Fred Hockhalter for making and donating the materials for the new benches and skate tying stations inside the warming house. Thanks also to Topper Tastad and Dakota Brush/Harper Brush for donating brooms to help keep the new building clean. On behalf of the Carnival of Silver Skates Committee and the Groton Soccer Association, we extend a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to EVERYONE who helped in any way to help develop and build this facility! Anyone who thought it couldn’t be done should now know the spirit of giving is alive and well in Groton, and that a “can do” attitude is thriving here in our community! We would also like to thank Lori Westby as the City of Groton’s manager of the new warming house, and to a great warming house staff for providing outstanding service in maintaining the new building: Allison McNamara, Justin Olson, Justin Peterson, Cody Wright and Janet Wright. The
largest portion of the 2-story 30 by 46 foot building is the warming
area/soccer clubhouse area with benches and "skate tying
stations." The heated concrete floor works beautifully for
skaters needing to warm up. This main area may also be
available through the city for use as a multi-purpose room for occasions such as family
gatherings or birthday parties. The building
also includes a storage area for Carnival of Silver
Skates property such as the backdrop for their annual figure skating
show and the sleigh long used to pull the Carnival of Silver Skates queen
after coronation each year. The main floor area also includes
2-stall, handicap-accessible restrooms, as well as an
office/concession area. City employees who operate the warming house
have a great view of the ice rink from this room, as it features
three large windows that look out onto the ice. From this
room, warming house employees can play music or make announcements
using the sound system donated to the City by the Carnival of Silver
Skates committee (purchased with generous donations of several area
businesses a few years ago). Ice skates available for loan at no
cost are also stored in this room. The wall between this office area
and the main warming area features a service window from which staff
can help skaters. Also
included in this office area is a kitchenette capable of one day
accommodating a concession stand for soccer, the Carnival or for the
convenience of those who may rent the community room. The
second floor is largely storage area for the many costumes which belong to
the Carnival.See a drawing
of the building plans. For
more information, please contact 2010 Carnival of Silver Skates
co-chairs
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