Historical Timeline Of The Winninghoff Park Project


2003

Rotary Centennial. PBR announces commitment to renovate the old ice rink. (July).

Winninghoff family donates 8 city lots to complete the rink arena.

Project is formally named: "Winninghoff Park"


2004

Montana Tech. is solicited to do an initial site feasibility plan.

An Open-House event is held at the old ice rink to introduce the project to the community and garner support. Over 100 people visit the rink to see promotional displays and chat over hot chocolate.

Winningfoff project is introduced to the Town Council and is well received.

Montana Tech provides detailed site proposal for the arena.

Hillside seating is excavated, sculpted and hydro-seeded.

Rotary International provides $3500 matching grant.


2005

Fund Raising Begins!
PBR organizes a "4-Wheeler" raffle and Costas donates benefit concert. Together they gross: $24,800.

Research begins to decide on the size of the future ice rink.

Zamboni is donated by club member.


2006

Club votes to build an NHL sized ice rink suitable for hockey events. Club purchases the ice liner and rink accessories. Club purchases stadium lighting and has it professionally installed.

Club accepts a private donation of $15,000 with assistance from the Rotary District Foundation.

Club installs ice liner and the community enjoys the first hockey ice in Granite County history.


2007

Gala Epiphany Night celebration inaugurates the first ice season on the new rink. The event includes demonstration hockey matches during the day and the "ceremonial lighting" of the rink for the public. Feature articles appear in both local and Missoula newspapers.

Regular broom ball and other events are held at the rink during the season.

Finance committee begins it's first round of solicitations and raises over $24,000.

Building committee secures the assistance of a certified engineer to complete the clubhouse design.

Building permit is secured from the State of Montana.

Phase I of construction is defined by the building committee to include all dirt work and the monolithic slab foundation. The work is approved by the club and a contractor is chosen. The foundation concrete is poured before the cold weather arrives.

Phase II of construction is defined by the building committee; framing and dry-in of the clubhouse and completion of the garage. The work is approved by the club and completion is targeted for Jan 1. 2008.


2008

Phase II of construction completed.

Phase III of construction completed: roofing is installed, interior is insulated and drywalled, exterior doors purchased and installed, interior is painted and electrical fixtures installed. Heating furnace and warming stove installed. Temporary "skate-friendly" rubber flooring is installed in warming room.

Roof material is decided on and purchased. Roof is installed.

Rink surface is re-graded and irrigation system is installed. Grass is planted.

Rotary holds fund-raising auction at the site; raises $18,000.


2009

Exterior board & bat and eve soffit is completed. Interor waynescoat and ceiling wood is installed and finished. Interior lighting fixtures are installed. Restroom fixtures and interior details are installed. Building is nearly completed.

Hillside terraces are regraded and irrigation is installed. Terraces are seeded.

Rink perimeter of railroad ties is installed and backfilled with earth. Drainage pipe for ice rink water is installed. Concrete retaining blocks are moved to accomodate planned stairway from Clubhouse to terrace area.

Rotary holds second annual fund-raising auction at the site; raises $12,000.

Gala "Ribbon Cutting" ceremony is planned for winter of 2010.