Rink

LIKE MOST MID-SIZED CITIES nestled in America's heartland, Edwardsville, Illinois, embodies classic Midwest values: neighborliness, commu- nity involvement and a "fix-it-ourselves" approach to problem-solving. So when the hockey community struggled to find enough ice time, it's no surprise they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The Edwardsville Tigers high school hockey team needed a home. Competing for ice time in the nearby St. Louis, Missouri, area wasn't only costly, it was a logistical nightmare. But admiring a problem isn't in this city's DNA. Thanks to volunteers, com- munity participation, local expertise, and a bold vision, Edwardsville has entered a new ice age. But the ice was just one piece of a bigger puzzle. Through the city's "A Better Place to Play" initiative, the Edwardsville parks and recreation department has drastically improved quality and access to green spaces, parks, splash pads, pickleball courts, a variety of sports fields, trails— and now, ice. The RP Lumber Center is Edwardsville's brand new, state-of-the- art arena. "It's the final piece of the puzzle that completes the city's vision," facility superintendent Phil Zamora said. The Need for Ice Community demand for local ice is really what kickstarted the project, with the goal being to grow the sport of hockey in Edwardsville from the ground up. By providing an in-house place for kids to learn to skate, practice and compete, they 20 / JULY.AUGUST.2022 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: RP LUMBER CENTER, SCOTT EVERS Featured Rink RP Lumber Center | | Edwardsville, Illinois The community of Edwardsville, Illinois worked together to solve ice scarcity for city youth TIGER TERRITORY by KELSEY HANSON

• Cover