After years of planning, voting, more planning, and re-voting, the new Stowe Arena has opened. Stowe Youth Hockey held its first games at the new rink over the weekend.
The town’s seasonal rink – Jackson Arena – was torn down in the spring. In its spot now stands the new year-round facility. Joanna Graves uses the rink as a hockey player, a coach, and the high school athletic director. She says she’ll miss the quirky old rink, but the new facility is a big improvement.
"I did love the old Jackson, and I loved skating on it, but this is just unbelievable and we needed it," said Graves.
Graves said one of the biggest improvements is a heated viewing area for spectators. That’s a far cry from the old rink, where snow blew in on the bleachers and the temperature inside was the same as outside.
"I watch a lot of games being a coach, being an athletic director and a mom," she said. "It’s a great place for spectators."
And the new rink seems to be working out for at least one local team. The Stowe Bantam team won its first game at the rink, beating St. Albans seven to one.
