Ice rink plans in the works

A North Idaho ice rink is back in the works for Bonner County, with plans recently being added to the second phase of the Field of Dreams.

On Oct. 31, rink plans were added to the second phase of development as part of a collaboration between the city of Ponderay and North Idaho Ice Corp. Talk of an ice rink for Bonner County has happened for years, with plans to originally put the building on the piece of property between the Bonner County Fairgrounds and the Bonner County Jail. However, due to continued arguments between county officials, that idea was shuttered and, for a while, it seemed as if the idea would never happen.

However, Ponderay officials worked closely with NIICE staff to bring that dream back to life and recently implemented those plans into the project’s official timeline.

“We continue to move forward and are currently working [on] funding through grants, donations and endowments,” NIICE staff said on their website. “Additionally, we will continue [to] develop renderings, construction estimates and updates to our business plan.”

Currently, NIICE staff are asking for donations to complete phase one of the ice rink’s development — mainly the procurement of a chilling system and a zamboni.

“This requires a significant investment, but several needs have been completed,” officials said. “The land, dirt work [and] infrastructure are being provided through the city of Ponderay and the Field of Dreams funded through LOT taxes. Our goal is to have a rink of this type ready for use in the [fall or winter of 2024]. Based on previous weather patterns, the ice will be useable for 35-50 days per season.”

At first, staff is expecting the arena to remain open and uncovered during the completion of the first phase, which will cost an estimated $1.5-$2 million. While many materials have already been provided or purchased, NIICE staff said the group is still working to fund the concrete foundation that will need to be completed before anything else can be done.

A second phase of the ice rink will see a steel structure cover the arena to prevent negative impacts from weather and precipitation. A third phase will completely enclose the rink, allowing guests to use it during all types of weather, and all year round. There are currently no time estimates for when the second or third phases will be completed.

Ponderay officials broke ground on the Field of Dreams' first phase in early August, bringing to reality a community sports complex on the site. Among facilities planned are numerous soccer and multi-purpose sports fields, among other things such as lighting and other infrastructure items.

The city of Ponderay acquired the 50-acre "Field of Dreams" property — formerly known as "McGhee Sports Complex" — on Highway 95 in 2011. However, due to field conditions and the cost of development, the property has remained largely untouched over the years. Grant funding has helped the city outline a proposal — and voter approval of a one-cent local option in 2019 has generated funding for the project. 

The first phase includes six U6-U8 soccer/multi-purpose sports fields, four U11-12 soccer/multi-purpose sports fields, and a full-size soccer field. It will also include an open space on the property's southern half with a building that includes restrooms, storage, a concessions area, offices and other amenities. The northern part of the site would include a pavilion, as well as nature and multi-use trails.

A planned second phase would add a playground, sand volleyball courts, a playground, tennis courts, baseball fields and an indoor field house. The third phase would add more picnic areas, expand the field house and event center, an indoor ice rink and, potentially, a pool.

For information on the ice rink, go online to niicearena.com. For information on the Field of Dreams, go online to cityofponderay.org/field-of-dreams.