Hermantown Community Schools celebrates new hockey arena with ribbon-cutting ceremony

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Hermantown community members packed into the new arena for its grand opening.

What began as a dream became a reality through the support of local businesses, community funding, and lawmakers. The project was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tours of the new NorthStar Ford Arena, which is expected to serve generations of hockey players.

“This matters for our community, and we’re going to invest in the things that our kids are showing us that they are passionate about, and that’s what we’re going to keep doing as a community. That’s what we’re going to keep doing as a region. So grateful to the sponsors, to the city, to the volunteers, and to those of us at the state level that work together to make this happen,” said Grant Hauschild, (DFL) MN District 3.

With two indoor sheets of ice now available, the facility can accommodate more practices and games.

Hermantown Community Schools Superintendent, Wayne Whitwam, said, “what’s really important for the school is that our kids are going to come to school more ready to learn, because they’re not driving late at night, out at ice and practices. It’s going to save money for families, because instead of getting hotels at tournaments and traveling, it’s going to save families financially, and that money will be invested back into this community.”

For players and families, the arena marks a new chapter for hockey in Hermantown.