Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Not only does the U.S. Women's Hockey Team love the newly renovated Howelsen Ice Arena, the local community loves it, too.

And this week, the city confirmed that a group of local donors love it to the tune of $175,000.

With pledges from anonymous donors along with The Industrial Co., the city will get to build a lobby and skate rental area that will be much more ambitious and larger than the city had originally anticipated.

The money will not be used to pay down the city's debt from building the new $3 million arena, which is almost finished. The Ice Rink Advisory Committee has already promised the city $500,000 in donations that will be spread out over a five-year period and $200,000 in in-kind services on the rink.

The front "bump-out" will have to be brought before the planning department before it is constructed and will replace modular structures near Howelsen Parkway, said Parks and Recreation Director Chris Wilson. Those modulars will be turned into a youth activities center once Emerald City closes in August.

Meanwhile, the rest of the project is being completed on schedule, with locker rooms opening for the Olympic women's hockey team and the heated bleachers open on a regular basis.

TIC spokeswoman Barbara Judd said the company wanted to help the community finish a big project at a facility in which many of its 200 local employees use.

"By helping to upgrade that facility, we're helping to contribute to the quality of life in the valley," Judd said. "It's just such a well-used facility."

Judd would not say exactly how much the company spent on the donation, but Wilson confirmed that TIC was the largest donor. The rest of the donors have asked to remain anonymous, Wilson said.