Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, despite the coronavirus pandemic and tough economic times, is moving forward in building a multi-sheet ice arena complex for disabled and able-body athletes in Castle Pines.
It is Dawg Nation’s desire that the rink become the home of the USA Paralympic program and host national and international sled hockey championships. It would also help serve a dire need for more ice availability as the Front Range continues to develop hockey players of all ages.
Land for the $38 million project was donated by the City of Castle Pines, at the corner of Interstate 25 and Castle Pines Parkway. In-kind donations have reached $10 million behind the support of board members such as former Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda; Beth Bowlen, daughter of late Broncos owner Pat Bowlen; and developer Michael Vickers.
The next hurdle is the complex’s $520,000 design phase, of which $300,000 has been raised.
“We believe this thing will come true — even with the coronavirus situation,” Hejda said. “We’re still moving forward. We might have a little bit of a delay, maybe six months delay, but everything is on the right track. We have a few things to do, but where we are right now is probably right where we should be. I think it’s going to happen.”
Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation was founded in 2011 by a group of adult-league players who played out of Edge Ice Arena in Littleton. The group became a nonprofit about eight months after passing a hat in a locker room to help a teammate, Jack Kelly, who was battling cancer.
In the nine years since, Dawg Nation has provided more than $1.7 million in financial aid to over 160 families. Revenue is primarily generated through fundraising events, with the largest being the weekend-long Dawg Bowl charity hockey tournament at Edge Ice Arena — still scheduled for late next month.
“The prospect for this amenity within our community makes a powerful statement about our values and support for diversion and inclusion,” Castle Pines Mayor Tera Radloff wrote in a text. “… We are committed to advancing this project and joining Dawg Nation in seeing this complex become a reality.”
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, captain Gabe Landeskog and many of his teammates support Dawg Nation, along with former Avs Pierre Turgeon, Milan Hejduk, Kyle Quincey, John Mitchell, Paul Stastny, Brett Clark and John-Michael Liles. Hejduk and Avs broadcaster Peter McNab are also board members.
They realize a Dawg Nation-owned and operated international venue would drastically boost fundraising and help spread the organization’s message. Dawg Nation limits its aid to those closest to Colorado, although it did substantial work for the Humboldt Broncos and their families after the junior hockey team’s horrific bus crash in Saskatchewan in April 2018.
President Martin Richardson was among those passing the hat for Kelly as he took on cancer back in January 2010. Kelly died in April of that year from Scleroderma, but the group’s dedication to the Colorado hockey community still lives on.
“The support for this project has been overwhelming and humbling. The generosity of people and companies of Colorado are in full display,” said Richardson, a former soccer player and Metro State hall of famer. “We’re truly building hockey’s heart together.”
Dawg Nation’s arena fundraising effort is ongoing, as the group looks for grants, private gifts, asset donations, sponsorships and naming rights. To contribute, visit rink.dawgnation.org.
