Ice Expansion Campaign

Nearly 30 years ago, the New Prague community came together to build something extraordinary. In 1996, families, local businesses, volunteers, and supporters united around a shared belief: that our youth deserved a place to grow, compete, & build lifelong friendships. The Ice Arena was not simply constructed — it was created by community. People gave their time. Materials were donated. Financial gifts were made. Everyone contributed in the way they could. That original effort laid the foundation for decades of memories — first goals scored, early morning practices, friendships formed, and a sense of belonging that has shaped generations of New Prague families. We remain deeply grateful for the support that made that vision possible. The rink stands today as a living reminder of what can happen when a community invests in its future. Today, we find ourselves at a similar moment. Our programs have grown. More families want access. Young athletes are traveling outside our community just to find ice time. Figure skating, hockey, & public skating opportunities are limited by space not by passion. The demand is clear: to continue serving our youth and our region, we must grow again. Adding a second sheet of ice is about more than expanding a facility. It is about protecting accessibility, strengthening development, and ensuring that New Prague remains a place where young people can learn resilience, teamwork, and confidence — on and off the ice. This campaign is an invitation — to past supporters, new partners, families, alumni, and community members — to help shape the next chapter. Whether you were part of the original effort or are joining us for the first time, your involvement matters. Every contribution builds toward a future where opportunity continues to grow alongside our community. The rink we build next will serve thousands of young people, families, and visitors for decades to come. It will host practices, tournaments, public skating, and events that bring our community together — just as the original arena has done since 1996. The story of New Prague Ice Arena has always been written by the people who believe in it. Now, together, we write the next chapter.

Thank you for honoring the past.

Thank you for investing in the future.

Thank you for building what comes next.

When we build this rink, we are investing in:

• Youth development

• Local business growth

• Community identity and pride

• A financially sustainable facility for a host of people and programs to uses

• Long-term economic benefit to the region

This project grows far more than hockey, it grows New Prague.

New Prague is a special place built on culture, togetherness, and a strong commitment to families. Youth sports are a vital part of that foundation, teaching discipline, leadership, and teamwork while helping our children grow into successful adults. They also play a key role in strengthening our community and welcoming families from across the state into our town to support us and our businesses. For more than eight years, the New Prague Hockey Association has faced a growing challenge: limited access to ice time. As our community continues to grow, this shortage threatens our ability to serve families and sustain the sport of hockey in New Prague. Without a second ice facility, our nonprofit is increasingly limited in participation opportunities and in providing the developmental experiences our athletes need to grow and succeed. This challenge has persisted for years and continues to intensify. The New Prague Hockey Association has always operated without requiring direct financial assistance from the residents of New Prague, and we intend to continue that commitment. A second ice facility would further enhance community engagement and support local businesses by attracting competitive associations that travel to our city. To meet these needs, we ask for the support of our community and its leaders as we begin the process of adding a second ice rink. This investment will ensure we can continue to share this beautiful sport with families today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

-Daniel Sacco, NPHA President

Having three kids in sports, two of them in hockey, while being a single parent comes with constant logistical and emotional challenges. Our community rink has been outgrown, which means ice time is spread across multiple towns, requiring long drives, tight schedules, and impossible choices. As one parent, I can’t be in two or three places at once, and many days I have to heavily rely on friends and family just so my kids can get to the rink. That dependence, while appreciated, is difficult and unsustainable at times, especially when it’s the only way to allow my children to participate in the sport they love. The challenge is made even harder by extremely early ice times, including 5:30 a.m. practices for my youngest son who is in 4th grade which places added strain on him, disrupts much needed sleep, and makes mornings especially demanding for a single-parent household. The constant travel, early mornings, and coordination create financial stress and exhaustion, taking away from what should be a positive, community-based experience for our children.

-Steven Malecha

I believe New Prague should get a second sheet of ice because it allows teams to have more individual focused ice time rather than constantly splitting the ice with other teams. I really noticed a big difference when it comes to high school practice times. When talking with other athletes at other schools they were able to practice for 1.5 hours a day. We would get an hour max. If we want to compete at a higher level we need the ice to be able to do so. As for coaching our 12U team we had 2-3 practices all season that were alone. Those practices were at 9pm at night after 3 days straight of games so the ice we did get alone it was very hard for it to even be productive. If we want to be better as an association, one sheet won’t get us there.

-Catie Skaja, Previous New Prague Highschool Hockey Player and Coach 

Our local community would benefit greatly from the opportunities provided with a second sheet of ice. For our hockey community and for all kids, a second sheet would allow for local and affordable access to the game. Currently, our association does not have enough access to ice time. Any growth as an association would further challenge our ability to provide a high-quality experience for players and families. Coming together as a community to add additional ice would honor our program's history and be transformative for years to come.

-Elsa Shorey, Girls Development Lead and Coach

The New Prague Figure Skating Club is currently reaching the limits of what we can achieve with a single sheet of ice. Our growth is restricted by early morning ice times that are difficult for families to manage, and the lack of available hours prevents us from expanding our Learn to Skate program or launching new camps and skill clinics. Currently, many of our skaters must travel to neighboring communities just to find adequate practice time. The addition of a second sheet of ice would be transformative, allowing us to keep our athletes local, welcome more beginners into our programs, and finally provide the comprehensive developmental opportunities our skaters need to thrive.

-New Prague Figure Skating Board 

I was born and raised in New Prague, grew up playing in the youth hockey association, and graduated from New Prague High School in 2018. Now, I have the opportunity to coach in the same association that shaped me into who I am today. The rink was a huge part of my life growing up and taught me valuable life lessons that went beyond the game of hockey. A second sheet of ice would give more kids the chance to play, develop, and be part of something bigger, just like I was. It’s an investment in the next generation and in the future of hockey in New Prague.

-Jake Pirkl, Coach and Hockey Development Committee Member

Fundraising Disclosure Statement

New Prague Hockey Arena – 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

New Prague Hockey Arena is a nonprofit corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

This fundraising campaign is being conducted for the primary purpose of supporting the development, construction, and related costs associated with a proposed second sheet of ice facility in New Prague, Minnesota (the “Second Sheet Project”).

All donor funds received through this campaign will be used with the intent of funding costs directly related to the planning, development, financing, construction, and equipping of the Second Sheet Project.

In the event that the Second Sheet Project is delayed, modified, determined to be infeasible, or does not proceed for any reason as determined by the organization’s Board of Directors, donated funds may be redirected, at the Board’s discretion, toward other capital improvements, building additions, facility upgrades, debt service, maintenance, or other facility-related expenses consistent with the organization’s charitable mission.

By making a contribution, donors acknowledge and agree that their donation is unrestricted unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing and may be used in accordance with this disclosure statement.

For questions regarding this campaign or the use of funds, please contact [expansion@newpraguehockey.com].