Rink

July/August 2021

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WHEN THE $9.5 MILLION RENO ICE FACILITY OPENED in January 2021, Reno, Nevada ended its time as one of the largest United States markets without a year-round, indoor NHL-sized ice sheet. Bringing ice to the high desert was a nearly six-year process for Cam Sorenson and fellow founders Joel Grace and Chris O'Neal. All three benefited from their own childhood expe- riences at ice rinks. That motivation compelled them to give back to the community and provide area youth the opportunity to participate in ice sports. The same community- based effort Sorenson was used to grow- ing up in Canada. The end result is the 47,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Reno Ice: Jennifer M. O'Neal Community Ice Arena in south Reno, which serves as a trendsetter for both the Greater Reno community and ice facilities everywhere. "When you come to the rink, you'll see on the sign that it is a community ice rink," said Sorenson, the rink's General Manager. "All our programs are geared towards our primary focus, getting kids on the ice. In four months, we already have over 480 kids signed up in various programs from learn to skate to learn to play hockey to the beginnings of an in-house league. The demand is there. People are very excited for this." The Vision of Many While passion for ice sports previously existed in Reno, no business was willing to build a new facility. Previous groups tried and failed. Their attempts made it difficult at first to earn community trust, according to Sorenson. Instead, Cam, Joel and Chris formed the Greater Reno Community Ice Skating 22 / JULY.AUGUST.2021 USICERINKS.COM Featured Rink Jennifer M. O'Neal Community Ice Rink | | Reno, Nev. Reno Ice: Jennifer M. O'Neal Community Ice Arena puts an end to a rink-less Reno, Nevada A RINK IN RENO by NATHAN WELLS PHOTOS: CHRIS HOLLOMAN FOR RENO ICE ARENA

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