By West Michigan
Tourist Association
Members of several long-standing Kalamazoo area ice sports groups and businesses are uniting to support youth athletes and sports tourism in Kalamazoo. Representatives from non-profits Kalamazoo Optimists Hockey Association (KOHA), Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association (GKSA), Kalamazoo Curling Club, South Center High School Hockey League (SCHSHL), and Discover Kalamazoo along with local businesses Athletic Mentors and Hockey Services Source for Hockey, began meeting together immediately after the closure of Wings West. They all had one goal in mind—ensuring a bright future for ice sports in the area.
“As one of Michigan’s largest youth hockey organizations celebrating our 60th anniversary season, we’re grateful to stand together with Discover Kalamazoo, GKSA, SCHSHL, and the Kalamazoo Curling Club in our united commitment to ensuring the Greater Kalamazoo area has the ice capacity and facilities our athletes and families deserve for generations to come,” said Matt Kakabeeke, Executive Director of KOHA.
“Representing one of several nonprofit organizations dedicated to developing youth and adult skating opportunities, GKSA stands united with fellow ice sport groups across the Kalamazoo area,” said Kelly Felton, President/Test Chair/Ice Administrator of Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association (GKSA). “Each organization brings a rich history of volunteer leadership, athlete development, and community engagement. Together, these groups share a common vision: a vibrant, inclusive future for ice sports in Southwest Michigan.”
To achieve this shared vision, each organization recognizes the importance of collaboration to preserve Kalamazoo’s long-standing ice sports legacy and ensure continued opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities.
“Kalamazoo is rich with multiple decades of consistent instruction in all areas of ice sport,” said Arlene Carter, President of Kalamazoo Curling Club. “Curling, hockey, and figure skating instill core values of sportsmanship and teamwork while offering opportunities for kids, adults, and seniors opportunities to grow through mentorship and community involvement. In curling specifically, we’ve expanded to include differently abled athletes through adaptive curling practices.” Carter added that these efforts not only strengthen the local sports community but also enhance Kalamazoo’s reputation as a destination for regional, national, and international competition—bringing visitors, energy, and economic impact to the area year-round.
Earlier today, it was announced that Black Bear Sports Group has taken ownership of Wings West and the local organizations are looking forward to a collaborative relationship.
“The South Central High School Hockey League (SCHSHL) is excited that Wings West has been purchased by the Black Bear Sports Group and we look forward to working with them,” said Frank Noonan, League Commissioner of SCHSHL. “The high school league is a non-profit 501(c3) with a rich history since 1975 and new ownership of Wings West will allow us to continue with no interruption in our games and specialty events.”
“Athletic Mentors is proud of the growth and development we’ve helped foster at Wings West and throughout the Kalamazoo ice sports community,” said Mark Olson on behalf of The Team at Athletic Mentors. “As the arena transitions to new ownership, we look forward to the continued momentum of local hockey and skating programs. We are confident that our shared commitment to developing athletes, building community, and strengthening the foundation of ice sports in Kalamazoo will continue to flourish.”
A local retailer supporting Kalamazoo’s ice sports community for over 40 years, Hockey Services Source for Hockey is also pleased to welcome Black Bear Sports Group. “We’re proud to see Kalamazoo remain a hub for ice sports and look forward to continuing to serve the equipment and apparel needs of athletes and teams across the region for years to come,” said Matt Schaeffer, Vice President of Golf & Hockey Services.
Felton stated that they are “very optimistic about working collaboratively with the new ownership of Wings West, recognizing the importance of open communication and shared goals in maintaining high-quality ice access for all local user groups.”
As the groups all warmly welcome the new ownership for Wings West, they are also thinking ahead to further growth and development in ice sports for Southwest Michigan.
Kakabeeke noted that “this acquisition is a positive step forward, but concerns about long-term ice sufficiency in our community remain.” To address those concerns, the ice sports organizations and businesses are partnering with Discover Kalamazoo to conduct a feasibility study to gain insights as they strategize for the future. Southwest Michigan First and the Kalamazoo County Event Center Assessment District (KCECAD) Authority are also helping to finance the feasibility study.
“Discover Kalamazoo is proud to collaborate with our local ice user groups to assess the future ice needs and capacity in Kalamazoo County” said Jane Ghosh, President & CEO of Discover Kalamazoo. “Even with the anticipated reopening of Wings West, we recognize the importance of understanding long-term facility requirements to support hockey, figure skating, curling, and other local recreational users and stakeholders. This feasibility study is an important next step to ensure that our community continues to thrive for local athletes and as a destination for sports tourism.”
Tourist Association
Members of several long-standing Kalamazoo area ice sports groups and businesses are uniting to support youth athletes and sports tourism in Kalamazoo. Representatives from non-profits Kalamazoo Optimists Hockey Association (KOHA), Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association (GKSA), Kalamazoo Curling Club, South Center High School Hockey League (SCHSHL), and Discover Kalamazoo along with local businesses Athletic Mentors and Hockey Services Source for Hockey, began meeting together immediately after the closure of Wings West. They all had one goal in mind—ensuring a bright future for ice sports in the area.
“As one of Michigan’s largest youth hockey organizations celebrating our 60th anniversary season, we’re grateful to stand together with Discover Kalamazoo, GKSA, SCHSHL, and the Kalamazoo Curling Club in our united commitment to ensuring the Greater Kalamazoo area has the ice capacity and facilities our athletes and families deserve for generations to come,” said Matt Kakabeeke, Executive Director of KOHA.
“Representing one of several nonprofit organizations dedicated to developing youth and adult skating opportunities, GKSA stands united with fellow ice sport groups across the Kalamazoo area,” said Kelly Felton, President/Test Chair/Ice Administrator of Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association (GKSA). “Each organization brings a rich history of volunteer leadership, athlete development, and community engagement. Together, these groups share a common vision: a vibrant, inclusive future for ice sports in Southwest Michigan.”
To achieve this shared vision, each organization recognizes the importance of collaboration to preserve Kalamazoo’s long-standing ice sports legacy and ensure continued opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities.
“Kalamazoo is rich with multiple decades of consistent instruction in all areas of ice sport,” said Arlene Carter, President of Kalamazoo Curling Club. “Curling, hockey, and figure skating instill core values of sportsmanship and teamwork while offering opportunities for kids, adults, and seniors opportunities to grow through mentorship and community involvement. In curling specifically, we’ve expanded to include differently abled athletes through adaptive curling practices.” Carter added that these efforts not only strengthen the local sports community but also enhance Kalamazoo’s reputation as a destination for regional, national, and international competition—bringing visitors, energy, and economic impact to the area year-round.
Earlier today, it was announced that Black Bear Sports Group has taken ownership of Wings West and the local organizations are looking forward to a collaborative relationship.
“The South Central High School Hockey League (SCHSHL) is excited that Wings West has been purchased by the Black Bear Sports Group and we look forward to working with them,” said Frank Noonan, League Commissioner of SCHSHL. “The high school league is a non-profit 501(c3) with a rich history since 1975 and new ownership of Wings West will allow us to continue with no interruption in our games and specialty events.”
“Athletic Mentors is proud of the growth and development we’ve helped foster at Wings West and throughout the Kalamazoo ice sports community,” said Mark Olson on behalf of The Team at Athletic Mentors. “As the arena transitions to new ownership, we look forward to the continued momentum of local hockey and skating programs. We are confident that our shared commitment to developing athletes, building community, and strengthening the foundation of ice sports in Kalamazoo will continue to flourish.”
A local retailer supporting Kalamazoo’s ice sports community for over 40 years, Hockey Services Source for Hockey is also pleased to welcome Black Bear Sports Group. “We’re proud to see Kalamazoo remain a hub for ice sports and look forward to continuing to serve the equipment and apparel needs of athletes and teams across the region for years to come,” said Matt Schaeffer, Vice President of Golf & Hockey Services.
Felton stated that they are “very optimistic about working collaboratively with the new ownership of Wings West, recognizing the importance of open communication and shared goals in maintaining high-quality ice access for all local user groups.”
As the groups all warmly welcome the new ownership for Wings West, they are also thinking ahead to further growth and development in ice sports for Southwest Michigan.
Kakabeeke noted that “this acquisition is a positive step forward, but concerns about long-term ice sufficiency in our community remain.” To address those concerns, the ice sports organizations and businesses are partnering with Discover Kalamazoo to conduct a feasibility study to gain insights as they strategize for the future. Southwest Michigan First and the Kalamazoo County Event Center Assessment District (KCECAD) Authority are also helping to finance the feasibility study.
“Discover Kalamazoo is proud to collaborate with our local ice user groups to assess the future ice needs and capacity in Kalamazoo County” said Jane Ghosh, President & CEO of Discover Kalamazoo. “Even with the anticipated reopening of Wings West, we recognize the importance of understanding long-term facility requirements to support hockey, figure skating, curling, and other local recreational users and stakeholders. This feasibility study is an important next step to ensure that our community continues to thrive for local athletes and as a destination for sports tourism.”
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
