Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1395674
USICERINKS.COM JULY.AUGUST.2021 / 23 Association (GRCISA), a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization, to undertake a capital campaign to raise funds to build Reno Ice. It took 2.5 years to get the land donated by Washoe County—the group leases it for $1 per year for the next 40 years—and it took about four years to raise the money necessary for the facility. Construction began in April 2020. One of the key moves made to see the project through was going beyond their own networks to get influential politicians and the community in general on board. "A big part of being successful was our integrity from the beginning. Anything we said we would do, we followed through on it," said Sorenson. "We built a large advisory board of very prominent mem- bers of the community that understood the vision and were excited about it." Ice in the Desert Getting the go-ahead to build the one- sheet facility was not the only challenge for Reno's first ice rink in 20 years. Being a non-profit, the GRCISA needed to be sustainable. User fees cover operating costs, so they wanted to find ways to reduce overall costs for year-round use without sacrificing ice quality and safety. The group was able to find ways to utilize technology to make both come true. The facility has battery-powered ice resurfacers, with automatic laser blade leveling systems to maintain a level ice surface. According to Sorenson, the blade leveling system made it faster and easier to train the new facility man- ager and resurfacer drivers prior to the facility's opening. Reno Ice's board and glass system features flexible seamless plexiglass designed to reduce injuries. Investments were also made in other areas of the building for sustainability and durability. "We're really intent on having one of the best ice surfaces and rinks in the country," said Sorenson. "That's been our focus from the beginning." The focus on ice quality also led to the GRCISA purchasing a unique aqua ammonia based refrigeration system from Germany for its ice sheet. Reno Ice is the first facility in the United "OUR DREAM WOULD BE TO HAVE A WORLD-CLASS FIGURE SKATER, OR AN NHL HOCKEY PLAYER DEVELOP FROM RENO. THAT'S OUR LONG-TERM GOAL."