New Foundation Plans to Grow Youth Hockey in Detroit
By: Tyler Peterson Jan. 27, 2015
East Side Hockey Foundation (ESHF), a newly formed non-profit, has acquired the Grosse Pointe Community Rink, naming it the East Side Hockey Foundation Ice Arena. The East Side Hockey Foundation plans to renovate the venue, grow youth hockey in Detroit, and help revitalize the surrounding community. A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2015, at the arena where the Foundation will disclose details about its $1.3 million capital campaign and unveil the new meeting room and pro shop. The Board of Directors, including Brian Francis, Paul Fayad, Anne Ugval, Matt Brady, Kier Mathieson, Greg Nehra, Sam Steinhebel, will host the event. Distinguished guests will include Detroit Red Wings alumnus Kirk Maltby, Honorable Mayor Ted Kedzierski, Village of Grosse Pointe Shores and Honorable Mayor James C. Farquhar, Jr., the City of Grosse Pointe Farms.
"We are thrilled to formally announce the East Side Hockey Foundation," says Brian Francis, president of the board of directors. "Hockey provides players important life skills that will assist them on and off the ice. We've been working with local neighborhoods to make hockey accessible and affordable for all children, regardless of the income level of the family, and we're ready to take this effort to the next level." To date, ESHF has provided equipment, subsidized ice-time, and has given scholarships to local families in need. The organization donated 200 sets of equipment to children ages 3-8 as part of its Learn to Play Hockey 8U program. ESHF reduced ice-time costs at the arena up to 72 percent during the 2014/15 season, which represented a savings of $95,000 for local families. The organization also hosts Try Hockey for Free days at the arena, which gives local kids the chance to step on the ice and experience the thrill of hockey at no cost. The next Try Hockey for Free day will be held at 11:30 a.m. February 21, 2015. "We are proud of our accomplishments to date and enthusiastic about the leadership gifts that have been provided to help launch the Foundation," says Paul Fayad, secretary of the board of directors. "But we still need support for the capital campaign, which will enable us to realize our goals." Part of the funds raised in the capital campaign will be used to renovate the facility starting this June. Phase one of the ESHF Ice Arena renovation is designed to improve and update the arena based on a professional assessment of the arena and its mechanics.Videos