By MARIA PREKEGES
Next door to the Rodeo Arena in Hailey is Campion Ice House, also known as the Ice House and Hailey Ice. Established as a private, nonprofit Idaho 501(c)(3), Hailey Ice, Inc., was established in 2000 by individuals who wanted to bring organized ice skating to the South Valley.
Bolstered by grants and private funding, Campion Ice House opened its doors in December of 2015.
After a very successful first season, Hailey Ice is now embarking on its second season, which opened on Oct. 7. The second season will be filled with many activities, including public ice skating, curling, lessons and clinics, league hockey play and tournaments. The Sun Valley Ice Rink will continue to be used for all manner of skating activities, including Suns hockey games, which will also be played at Hailey Ice.
Last year’s opening game in Hailey for the Suns drew more than 700 in attendance, proving the need and desire for a rink in the South Valley.
“We are very excited for this season,” said Sarah Benson, executive director of Hailey Ice. “We have had great public skates, classes for kids, hockey has just started and we have over 100 people in our Monday night curling league.”
With all of the expansion at Hailey Ice and interest in ice sports, especially hockey, there is now a need for more referees, said Bobby Noyes, the Idaho Amateur Hockey Association’s supervisor of officials.
“Due to the addition of Hailey Ice last season, the hockey community expects growth to the game in our Valley, leading to a greater need of on-ice officials,” Noyes said.
A hockey player throughout high school and college, Noyes has spent two decades with the Sun Valley Suns. And for the past 30 years he’s also been a referee. He also coached at every level for Sun Valley Youth Hockey.
Noyes ensures that all the referees are certified and directs some of the training and teaching for them.
“More refs are needed because we now have two sheets (of ice) in the Valley,” he said. “Youth and adult hockey is growing and we have had the same refs working for a long time. While they are still great refs, there is a need for more of them and some new blood.
“We can’t retire until we get some new people,” Noyes laughed. “But you do need to know how to skate. Being a referee is a paid position, though everyone knows it’s not a well-paid job and people sometimes yell and complain to the refs, so it takes a confident person to decide to become a ref.”
Other than stamina and thick skin, there are certain requirements to become certified as a referee.
Noyes said there will be a clinic in Hailey starting at 9 a.m. and running until approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. There are other associated requirements and costs.
For more information on becoming a referee, contact Noyes directly at (208) 720-1257. For information and a schedule of activities, visit haileyice.org.