Players for the San Luis Valley Youth Hockey Association take their crack at the newly resurfaced ice.

ALAMOSA — The ribbon cutting of the multi-use pavilion took place on Wednesday afternoon. Skating enthusiasts from all over the San Luis Valley squeezed into the pavilion just south of the Alamosa Parks and Recreation Center for the grand opening.

For years we’ve heard about the plans and financing going into the building now the years of hard work and planning have come to fruition.

To commemorate the occasion Mayor Ty Coleman spoke to those in attendance, “This is the realization of a dream of a passionate and hardworking coalition dedicated to providing high quality recreational opportunities to our youth.” As the name suggests the pavilion won’t be relegated to just ice hockey. Coleman went on to say, “We are also opening the doors for other user groups such as pickle ball and roller derby who will now be able to pursue their passion and have fun at the same time.”

With Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman at left and surrounded by enthusiastic residents, Alamosa Parks, Recreation & Library Director Andy Rice cuts the ribbon on the city’s new multi-purpose pavilion/ice rink on Wednesday afternoon. Skaters took to the ice following the grand opening ceremonies. The rink is open for public skating and organized hockey events.

Alamosa Family Recreation Center Director Andy Rice was quick to thank the representatives of the Colorado Avalanche for attending and for donating equipment before reinforcing the importance of youth sports. “This project really represents everything youth sports teaches our children”.

During cross ice skates local youth fight to stay upright during a game where the objective is to avoid a cross fire of pucks.

Rice pledged his organization’s support and expressed optimism, “My staff and I will do our very best to develop and maintain a thriving, skating and multi-use facility. I can’t wait to see what other activities go on in here keeping our community vibrant and active”.

Alamosa Recreation Advisory Board Chairman Paul Duarte also spoke warmly of the vision of the community,  “We started off with ‘we want a better ice rink’, but we ended up with a facility for the community that will be great.”

Brian Cook of Alcon Contruction spoke to the physical aspect of the ice rink. After thanking the City of Alamosa, Cook spoke about the local impact that local construction had on the project. Cook stated that of the 14 subcontractors and suppliers that 11 were from the San Luis Valley.

Cook also shared the scope of what it takes to create a rink “The little tubes that run the coolant through there, there’s over ten miles of tubes in this chilled floor.” Cook wrapped up with “We’re happy to be part of a project that will provide another activity for families to enjoy together as well as a first class facility for our local hockey teams”.  

Before the ceremonial cutting of  the ribbon the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association presented a check to San Luis Valley Youth Hockey’s John Saxton for $25,000. That shows the steps that are being taken towards providing a positive hockey environment.

Bernie engages in a little extra-curricular activity with one youth. The St. Bernard would narrowly avoid any time in the penalty box for his antics.

After the ribbon cutting people were allowed a free skate. At four o'clock representatives from the Colorado Avalanche including mascot "Bernie" the St. Bernard took the ice with the children and heated up the rink with fun games and activities.