The Pond Hockey Portal!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Sport court
Hockey, basketball, volleyball ... you name it — a backyard court provides hours of fun for any family.
Two stone pillars at the entrance of the Healeys' long driveway seem to promise something special at the hilltop residence. They don't disappoint.
At about 12,000 square feet, the house alone is impressive. But then, so is the four-car garage, in-ground swimming pool, man-made pond and new multi-use sport court, all of which sit among the trees and rolling grasses of the Goshen, Orange County, residence.
"Gotta keep the boys active," said Dwight Healey, referring to his and wife Laura's three sons, Jason, 13, Dylan, 10, and Connor, 9.
When the Healey boys aren't sporting around their yard or catching frogs in their pond — accompanied perhaps by Boomer, their feisty Jack Russell terrier, or Nala, their magnificent Great Dane — chances are they can be found riding their dirt bikes or one of the family's quads through wooded dirt trails on their 40-acre parcel.
The Hotel Healey Resort and Spa, as Dwight Healey put it, offers the boys (and their friends) a lot of fun opportunities. Perhaps the family's best-loved sport is hockey, which Dwight Healey grew up playing in Ridgefield, Conn., and still plays along with his boys. The elder Healey, who is co-owner of Healey Brothers Automotive in Goshen and other Hudson Valley locations, also coaches ice hockey teams — the Hudson Valley Polar Bears and the Hudson Valley Americans.
Ice hockey plans
The family loves the sport so much that they created a pond to have a place to play ice hockey when the water freezes in the winter. Next winter, though, they won't have to wait for the pond to ice up before skating on it. They'll be gliding across their new multi-use sport court, thanks, in part, to the observant Healey boys.
At first, Dwight and Laura Healey were thinking about having a roller hockey rink built. Then Dwight Healey's acquaintance, Bill Coughlin, owner of Hudson Valley Sport Court in Fishkill, told him about a multi-use sport surface that could be used for basketball, tennis, hockey, volleyball and other sports.
That got the Healeys interested. Shortly afterward, their boys noticed a sport court at the home of a family about two miles down the road from their residence, which, as it turned out, was built by Coughlin's company.
"As soon as they got home, I had to get in my car and drive down there," at the boys' insistence, Laura Healey said. While she'd seen pictures of the multi-use surface, viewing the actual product was almost convincing enough for her and her husband to go for it. Then her boys tried it.
"They were relentless," Laura Healey said of their desire for a court of their own. About six weeks later, that's just what the family got, by way of the crew at Hudson Valley Sport Court.
"It's just terrific family fun," Dwight Healey said of the multi-use court. "It keeps the kids close to you; keeps them out of trouble, keeps them active."
Measuring approximately 60 by 124 feet, the backyard court took about six weeks to build, including weather-related delays. It is surrounded by a black, chain-link fence that includes a 10- by 20-foot rebounder section, which is a taut net that serves as a backboard. Off one side of the court is a canopied rest/spectator area.
Two basketball hoops are at one end of the court and each of the court's short ends was fitted with a hockey net. A removable net across the court's mid-point can be set at ground level for tennis or raised for volleyball.
Stadium lighting added
There is also a cement lip that runs around the court to keep hockey pucks inside and full stadium lighting to provide illumination for night games.
Painted lines on the court surface define parameters for the games and a customized center medallion features an ice hockey player encircled by each of the Healey brothers' names.
The court's interlocking synthetic tiles allow water to drain right through them, eliminating the need to wait for the surface to dry after it rains.
This winter, the Healeys are looking forward to covering the surface with a tarp and flooding it with four inches of water. When the water freezes, which Dwight Healey anticipates will take less time than it does for the pond, they'll have their skating rink without the risk of thin-ice fall-throughs.
As for the boys, their consensus about the court is it's simply a great time.
"It's fun to have friends over because there are so many games we can play on it — hockey, basketball, volleyball," Jason Healey said.
His dad couldn't agree more.
"It's just awesome because there are so many things you can do with it. It's not just a concrete tennis court; it's everything you want," Dwight Healey said.
Two stone pillars at the entrance of the Healeys' long driveway seem to promise something special at the hilltop residence. They don't disappoint.
At about 12,000 square feet, the house alone is impressive. But then, so is the four-car garage, in-ground swimming pool, man-made pond and new multi-use sport court, all of which sit among the trees and rolling grasses of the Goshen, Orange County, residence.
"Gotta keep the boys active," said Dwight Healey, referring to his and wife Laura's three sons, Jason, 13, Dylan, 10, and Connor, 9.
When the Healey boys aren't sporting around their yard or catching frogs in their pond — accompanied perhaps by Boomer, their feisty Jack Russell terrier, or Nala, their magnificent Great Dane — chances are they can be found riding their dirt bikes or one of the family's quads through wooded dirt trails on their 40-acre parcel.
The Hotel Healey Resort and Spa, as Dwight Healey put it, offers the boys (and their friends) a lot of fun opportunities. Perhaps the family's best-loved sport is hockey, which Dwight Healey grew up playing in Ridgefield, Conn., and still plays along with his boys. The elder Healey, who is co-owner of Healey Brothers Automotive in Goshen and other Hudson Valley locations, also coaches ice hockey teams — the Hudson Valley Polar Bears and the Hudson Valley Americans.
Ice hockey plans
The family loves the sport so much that they created a pond to have a place to play ice hockey when the water freezes in the winter. Next winter, though, they won't have to wait for the pond to ice up before skating on it. They'll be gliding across their new multi-use sport court, thanks, in part, to the observant Healey boys.
At first, Dwight and Laura Healey were thinking about having a roller hockey rink built. Then Dwight Healey's acquaintance, Bill Coughlin, owner of Hudson Valley Sport Court in Fishkill, told him about a multi-use sport surface that could be used for basketball, tennis, hockey, volleyball and other sports.
That got the Healeys interested. Shortly afterward, their boys noticed a sport court at the home of a family about two miles down the road from their residence, which, as it turned out, was built by Coughlin's company.
"As soon as they got home, I had to get in my car and drive down there," at the boys' insistence, Laura Healey said. While she'd seen pictures of the multi-use surface, viewing the actual product was almost convincing enough for her and her husband to go for it. Then her boys tried it.
"They were relentless," Laura Healey said of their desire for a court of their own. About six weeks later, that's just what the family got, by way of the crew at Hudson Valley Sport Court.
"It's just terrific family fun," Dwight Healey said of the multi-use court. "It keeps the kids close to you; keeps them out of trouble, keeps them active."
Measuring approximately 60 by 124 feet, the backyard court took about six weeks to build, including weather-related delays. It is surrounded by a black, chain-link fence that includes a 10- by 20-foot rebounder section, which is a taut net that serves as a backboard. Off one side of the court is a canopied rest/spectator area.
Two basketball hoops are at one end of the court and each of the court's short ends was fitted with a hockey net. A removable net across the court's mid-point can be set at ground level for tennis or raised for volleyball.
Stadium lighting added
There is also a cement lip that runs around the court to keep hockey pucks inside and full stadium lighting to provide illumination for night games.
Painted lines on the court surface define parameters for the games and a customized center medallion features an ice hockey player encircled by each of the Healey brothers' names.
The court's interlocking synthetic tiles allow water to drain right through them, eliminating the need to wait for the surface to dry after it rains.
This winter, the Healeys are looking forward to covering the surface with a tarp and flooding it with four inches of water. When the water freezes, which Dwight Healey anticipates will take less time than it does for the pond, they'll have their skating rink without the risk of thin-ice fall-throughs.
As for the boys, their consensus about the court is it's simply a great time.
"It's fun to have friends over because there are so many games we can play on it — hockey, basketball, volleyball," Jason Healey said.
His dad couldn't agree more.
"It's just awesome because there are so many things you can do with it. It's not just a concrete tennis court; it's everything you want," Dwight Healey said.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Pushing for pond hockey
Not a new initiative, Cold Lake Minor Hockey is going to bring Pond Hockey into the forefront of their organization this season, and players may see a game on the pond next year.
For about the past three seasons, Pond Hockey has been sanctioned under Hockey Alberta. Though Cold Lake has been running some Pond Hockey, it hasn’t been well promoted.
The president of CLMH, Les Wilson is changing that.
“It’s been pretty much the same participation in Cold Lake Minor Hockey because we didn’t really push the program. We’ve been working on so many other things, but now, it’s time that we try and group, and develop the program,” Wilson explained.
To help with promotion, Wilson said he’s organizing some Christmas events as well as looking at real pond hockey on the Cold Lake in late January or early February.
“There’s insurance issues with that. I need somebody form the insurance company to come and look at our ice, so we have to book that well in advance,” he added.
For the regular pond hockey season, played in one of the arenas, Wilson said the advantage of it, is to get kids interested in hockey or allow them to continue playing, while participating in an inexpensive sport. “It anybody says hockey is too expensive in Cold Lake, this is an option for them,” he said.
Wilson is looking at charging a one-time $35 fee to cover insurance costs, and a five-dollar drop-in fee, to be paid once or twice a month.
“That just helps us collect the fees so we don’t have to have our (pond hockey) director at the arena all the time,” Wilson added.
Pond hockey players are to attend with hockey equipment, though the playing time is fairly unstructured, allow players to have fun on the ice.
REGULAR SEASON DUES
Wilson also reminds parents, that hockey fees are due on July 18 or face a late fee.
“After July 18 there will be a $50 late fee for anybody that had been previously registered in Cold Lake Minor Hockey,” Wilson said and added, that anybody new to the area, can apply at anytime with no administrative fees applied.
For about the past three seasons, Pond Hockey has been sanctioned under Hockey Alberta. Though Cold Lake has been running some Pond Hockey, it hasn’t been well promoted.
The president of CLMH, Les Wilson is changing that.
“It’s been pretty much the same participation in Cold Lake Minor Hockey because we didn’t really push the program. We’ve been working on so many other things, but now, it’s time that we try and group, and develop the program,” Wilson explained.
To help with promotion, Wilson said he’s organizing some Christmas events as well as looking at real pond hockey on the Cold Lake in late January or early February.
“There’s insurance issues with that. I need somebody form the insurance company to come and look at our ice, so we have to book that well in advance,” he added.
For the regular pond hockey season, played in one of the arenas, Wilson said the advantage of it, is to get kids interested in hockey or allow them to continue playing, while participating in an inexpensive sport. “It anybody says hockey is too expensive in Cold Lake, this is an option for them,” he said.
Wilson is looking at charging a one-time $35 fee to cover insurance costs, and a five-dollar drop-in fee, to be paid once or twice a month.
“That just helps us collect the fees so we don’t have to have our (pond hockey) director at the arena all the time,” Wilson added.
Pond hockey players are to attend with hockey equipment, though the playing time is fairly unstructured, allow players to have fun on the ice.
REGULAR SEASON DUES
Wilson also reminds parents, that hockey fees are due on July 18 or face a late fee.
“After July 18 there will be a $50 late fee for anybody that had been previously registered in Cold Lake Minor Hockey,” Wilson said and added, that anybody new to the area, can apply at anytime with no administrative fees applied.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Ice dreams come true
The opening of The Glacier Ice Arena will be a welcome sight for many people, not only in Grand Junction but on the Western Slope.
The first skating rink of its kind in the Grand Valley, The Glacier plans to provide not only a place for people to skate, but a home for both hockey players and figure skaters alike.
“The community has really bent over backwards to support us in this undertaking,” said John Koos, general manager of The Glacier. “It’s been really a symbiotic relationship where we feel we can give this to the community once it’s built and operating. Everybody I talked to, they’re really excited for this to happen. They feel there’s a real need for the kids to have a place like this, a fun place, a family place.”
It truly is a family place.
Koos is the general manager, but has received the support of his siblings in the purchase and construction of the arena. Among that group are Alan and Robbie Koos, John’s brother and sister-in-law, who have helped see the project through from its beginning.
“There’s just a lot of satisfaction that we are able to experience in making this particular dream come true,” said John Koos, who worked in the off-shore oil industry for 30 years.
“This has been a dream for Robbie and Alan for 11 years. I’ve kind of come into the picture this last six, seven months, when it changed from a dream to a reality.”
Alan, who owns Koos’ Construction Inc., in Grand Junction, and Robbie moved to Grand Junction 18 years ago.
Coming from a background in skating rinks and ice machines (Alan’s grandfather was Frank Zamboni, who invented the first ice resurfacing machine), they were both surprised to find that the Grand Valley didn’t have a rink of its own.
A non-profit organization, Ice Skating, Inc., had been formed to raise money for a skating rink.
The group was led by Shirley Tucker, whom Robbie Koos praised for spearheading the entire organization. Robbie eventually became the fundraising chairman, with Alan serving on the board as a member-at-large.
A number of problems faced Ice Skating, Inc., during those years, including potential investors who backed out of the project. As of March of last year, it seemed as though the entire project was about to fall through, until Alan approached his brothers, John and David, and his sisters, Janet and Kathy, about investing money into the project.
“I think everybody said, without a doubt, absolutely,” Robbie Koos said.
The family struck a deal with Ice Skating, Inc., to purchase the project, which included the land and the design.
The Glacier itself is now a for-profit organization, while Ice Skating, Inc., remains involved, providing financial support for families who can’t afford their own skating equipment. It purchased 200 sets of hockey gear in different sizes and will lease that equipment for a heavily discounted price.
“There’s still a connection there,” John Koos said.
A 7-foot long wall made up of 3-by-3 ceramic tiles, with names of those who donated money to the project, has been added to the arena.
The Glacier donated the wall, which has been named the “Charlene Giebler Ice Wall” to honor Giebler for her financial contributions.
The rink, located at 2515 River Road, will open at 6 a.m. during the week, an hour later on weekends, and will close between 10:30 p.m. and midnight. There are times set aside for public skating, hockey practices, freestyle lessons, adult pickup games and pee-wee lessons. The rink has planned teen skates and can cater to groups who want to rent ice time for parties.
Admission prices are good for the length of the public skate sessions, which vary from day to day.
Admission for children between the ages of 5-12 is $5, for adults it’s $6, and for seniors (ages 55 and older) it’s $5. Children younger than 4 are admitted free.
There is still a small amount of work to be done before The Glacier officially opens, but the Koos family is thrilled to see the project finally coming to fruition.
“It almost brings me to tears, to tell you the truth,” Robbie Koos said. “We put our hearts into this project, and when it almost went down about a year ago, it almost broke out hearts.
“I guess I always felt it would happen. I wasn’t sure how, but I always had this dream that it would happen here, and I could always see us stepping out onto that ice for the first time.
“To have a dream like that and have it come to reality, it’s amazing. I think there’s something to be said about willpower and just the drive to complete goals. To actually see it come to reality is very humbling, and very exciting, too.
“We never gave up. Never.”
The first skating rink of its kind in the Grand Valley, The Glacier plans to provide not only a place for people to skate, but a home for both hockey players and figure skaters alike.
“The community has really bent over backwards to support us in this undertaking,” said John Koos, general manager of The Glacier. “It’s been really a symbiotic relationship where we feel we can give this to the community once it’s built and operating. Everybody I talked to, they’re really excited for this to happen. They feel there’s a real need for the kids to have a place like this, a fun place, a family place.”
It truly is a family place.
Koos is the general manager, but has received the support of his siblings in the purchase and construction of the arena. Among that group are Alan and Robbie Koos, John’s brother and sister-in-law, who have helped see the project through from its beginning.
“There’s just a lot of satisfaction that we are able to experience in making this particular dream come true,” said John Koos, who worked in the off-shore oil industry for 30 years.
“This has been a dream for Robbie and Alan for 11 years. I’ve kind of come into the picture this last six, seven months, when it changed from a dream to a reality.”
Alan, who owns Koos’ Construction Inc., in Grand Junction, and Robbie moved to Grand Junction 18 years ago.
Coming from a background in skating rinks and ice machines (Alan’s grandfather was Frank Zamboni, who invented the first ice resurfacing machine), they were both surprised to find that the Grand Valley didn’t have a rink of its own.
A non-profit organization, Ice Skating, Inc., had been formed to raise money for a skating rink.
The group was led by Shirley Tucker, whom Robbie Koos praised for spearheading the entire organization. Robbie eventually became the fundraising chairman, with Alan serving on the board as a member-at-large.
A number of problems faced Ice Skating, Inc., during those years, including potential investors who backed out of the project. As of March of last year, it seemed as though the entire project was about to fall through, until Alan approached his brothers, John and David, and his sisters, Janet and Kathy, about investing money into the project.
“I think everybody said, without a doubt, absolutely,” Robbie Koos said.
The family struck a deal with Ice Skating, Inc., to purchase the project, which included the land and the design.
The Glacier itself is now a for-profit organization, while Ice Skating, Inc., remains involved, providing financial support for families who can’t afford their own skating equipment. It purchased 200 sets of hockey gear in different sizes and will lease that equipment for a heavily discounted price.
“There’s still a connection there,” John Koos said.
A 7-foot long wall made up of 3-by-3 ceramic tiles, with names of those who donated money to the project, has been added to the arena.
The Glacier donated the wall, which has been named the “Charlene Giebler Ice Wall” to honor Giebler for her financial contributions.
The rink, located at 2515 River Road, will open at 6 a.m. during the week, an hour later on weekends, and will close between 10:30 p.m. and midnight. There are times set aside for public skating, hockey practices, freestyle lessons, adult pickup games and pee-wee lessons. The rink has planned teen skates and can cater to groups who want to rent ice time for parties.
Admission prices are good for the length of the public skate sessions, which vary from day to day.
Admission for children between the ages of 5-12 is $5, for adults it’s $6, and for seniors (ages 55 and older) it’s $5. Children younger than 4 are admitted free.
There is still a small amount of work to be done before The Glacier officially opens, but the Koos family is thrilled to see the project finally coming to fruition.
“It almost brings me to tears, to tell you the truth,” Robbie Koos said. “We put our hearts into this project, and when it almost went down about a year ago, it almost broke out hearts.
“I guess I always felt it would happen. I wasn’t sure how, but I always had this dream that it would happen here, and I could always see us stepping out onto that ice for the first time.
“To have a dream like that and have it come to reality, it’s amazing. I think there’s something to be said about willpower and just the drive to complete goals. To actually see it come to reality is very humbling, and very exciting, too.
“We never gave up. Never.”
