Parents at a loss on how to find ice time for their hockey playing children should find things a bit easier thanks to the Arnot Lions Club and the Central Wisconsin Saints. The two groups, along with other community members and businesses, are in the process of bringing a rink to the town of Stockton.
The groundbreaking for the rink was held on Thursday, May 24.
The Central Wisconsin Saints is the name for a group of youth hockey teams that were created to provide an alternative to traveling teams. "We want to provide fun, family oriented, affordable hockey to the area," Kevin Hentges, second vice president of the Central Wisconsin Saints Association said.
Last year the association had four teams. Rhonda Draxler, a mother of a child in the league, said the league should grow this year, and put together a number of co-ed teams, as well as a girls team for girls ages 12-17. Draxler said the league is open to everyone.
The rink, which Hentges said they hope to get put together completely debt free, is being transplanted from Appleton. It was built in 1995, and was going to be replaced, so the association bought it, and is having it moved here.
"This is a win-win situation for the Saints, the Lions and the town of Stockton," Hentges said. They plan to have it open and running by October for the new season.
Joe Zunica, head of the association, said there are businesses that have chipped in by giving them great rates and providing free labor in some cases. The building, which will be partially enclosed, is in need of some electrical upgrading, as well as having to be moved to its new location.
For more information about the Central Wisconsin Saints or on about how to help, call Joe Zunica at 343-8997.