Photo courtesy of the Village of Lauriuim. After months of fundraising efforts, the Gipp Ice Arena will receive a new ice generating system. Installation will begin this monthl.

LAURIUM – The installation of the new ice generating plant at the Gipp Ice Arena will begin this month, according to Village Manager Ian Lewis. The new condenser and equipment replaces an ice generating plant dating back to 1976.

“What this means for our community is that youth ice skating, hockey, and public skating will continue to remain a staple in our area for many years to come,” Lewis said.

The village had been raising funds for renovations to the arena since last year, including a GoFundMe organized by Lewis and Village Trustee Jeff Erickson. The absolute deadline for raising needed funds was in June.

“Over the past few months, the village of Laurium has been fundraising to support the renovation of a new ice plant for its George Gipp Ice Arena,” Lewis said in Febrrary. “This Ice Arena not only supports the Calumet Hockey Association, but also our numerous surrounding community members due to providing public skating sessions and private rental sessions.”

By February 23, the Village had raised $250,000 of its $325,000 campaign goal for Phase 1 of the arena project.

In April, Calumet High School graduate Andy Storm donated $75,000 toward the project. In honor of what Lewis called a “generous donation,” he said the Laurium Village Council agreed to name the George Gipp Warming Area of the ice rink after Al Ayotte, at Storm’s request.

“Al has impacted so many peoples lives over his illustrious career while helping with football, hockey, basketball, and other sports teams,” Lewis said.

In May, Lewis announced the village initiated a new ice skate rental program during its public skating hours beginning in 2025. Funding for the new program came from a grant through the Keweenaw Community Foundation, which allowed the village to purchase 46 pairs of ice skates for the rental program. The fully-funded grant was part of the “Get Active Initiative,” which looks to create flexible and affordable avenues for residents and the neighboring community members to enjoy activities here in Laurium.

“This program will allow children and adults to be able to rent quality rental ice skates, while also being able to enjoy one of our community’s favorite past times at the George Gipp Ice Arena,” Lewis said. “We would like to thank the Keweenaw Community Foundation for awarding us this grant, and the village would like to thank Center Ice Skate & Sport for assisting us in acquiring the ice skates for the new rental program. Your professional guidance helped allow our community to gain so many pairs of ice skates.”

The ice generating plant should be completed by November, in time for the winter skating season.

Photo courtesy of the Village of Lauriuim. After months of fundraising efforts, the Gipp Ice Arena will receive a new ice generating system. Installation will begin this monthl.

“What this means for our community,” said Lewis, “is that youth ice skating, hockey, and public skating will continue to remain a staple in our area for many years to come.”