The Keweenaw Health
Foundation (KHF) recently contributed $10,000 to Allouez Township in its quest
to update the Emil Aho Memorial (Ahmeek) Ice Rink. The donation will be used to
offset the costs of updating the rink.
“The Ahmeek Ice Rink
has been around for decades,” said Ed Jenich, KHF Executive Director. “In the
winter, hockey and ice skating are key activities for our area’s youth and
adults; this donation will allow those individuals to continue an active
lifestyle.”
The ice rink was
started by a few enthusiastic kids in the neighborhood many years ago. They
made an impromptu rink using a nearby fire hydrant in the winter months. The
rink became more formal and has been maintained by adult volunteers since 1990.
The township’s “Build the Boards” campaign was launched to update the current
rink boards and provide additional safety elements.
“With this very
generous donation from the Keweenaw Health Foundation, we are well on our way
to continue promoting physical activity and outdoor recreation,” said Joni
Erkkila, co-chair of the rink project. “This donation will also help provide
important safety elements to those who use the rink.”
The recreational
area provides physical activity year-round. The rink provides more than 90
hours per week during the winter months for public skating and public hockey
ice time. In the off months, the area’s youth can use the area for roller
blading and street hockey.
“We are so grateful
to the Foundation for their donation,” said Ace Laurie, volunteer rink manager.
“Many children have learned to skate at this rink. Those children have gone on
to play local hockey, high school hockey and even college hockey. With the Foundation’s
help, we can maintain this smalltown gem and allow more of the area’s youth to
enjoy the rink as much as possible.”
Since fundraising
efforts began in the community this summer, the campaign has raised over
$30,000.
Anyone interested in
donating to the “Build the Boards” campaign can do so by dropping it off at the
Allouez Township Office or mailing it to P.O. Box 64, Mohawk, MI 49950. For
more information, visit alloueztwp.com or
Ahmeek Ice Rink on Facebook.