InForum: The Lights Plaza hosting recognition event for young hockey players all weekend
January 7, 2021
Check out The Lights Plaza in the InForum! Written by Wendy Reuer
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WEST FARGO — Along with a weekend of open skating, a draw for thousands of skaters to West Fargo’s newest outdoor rink, a three-night recognition event for young hockey players soon moving on to high school play will be held this weekend.
West Fargo’s Stampede Hockey Association is hosting the event that will feature a video on the big screen of the young players and recognition of the individuals each night, starting tonight, Friday, Jan. 1, through Sunday Jan. 3.
The event begins each night at 6:30 p.m. with introductions of parents and players followed by a game at 7 p.m. and open ice from 8 to 8:30 p.m., for players only each night.
Mike Amundson, executive director of West Fargo Events, the nonprofit that manages the outdoor plaza for the city of West Fargo, said the event will feature players that will move on to feed teams at Sheyenne High School, West Fargo High School and Shanley High School.
Amundson said opening weekend, Dec. 19-20, welcomed more than 400 skaters over the two days. Since opening, the rink has had more than 1,000 visitors and rented out an average of about 200 skates per day over the last two holiday weeks.https://3d40b9a8ef789cc2021355a390f96274.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Open skating will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and 11:30 to 4 p.m., Sunday. At the Lights Plaza, skating is free and skates can be rented for $5.
The ice was made possible in part by a grant from the Convention and Visitors Bureau to the city. The $685,000 cost of the rink included the ice, a chiller, boards, miscellaneous equipment and a Zamboni. The majority of the cost was covered by funds from the city’s tax increment financing district along with a grant from the CVB of about $171,000.
The Lights Plaza was slated to host Hockey Day North Dakota in early December but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.