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MORE THAN ICE: It's CommunitY
Help us keep the Piscataquis County Ice Arena open — all year long.
Capital Campaign Goal: $500,000
Why This Matters
If you’ve ever watched a kid take their first wobbly strides on the ice, or cheered from the bleachers on a cold Friday night, you know what the Piscataquis County Ice Arena means to this community. It’s the only indoor rink for miles in one of Maine’s most rural counties — the nearest one is an hour away. For hundreds of families, it’s not just a rink. It’s where kids find a team, a sport, and a place to belong.
Right now, that place is at risk. Without new leadership and real investment, the Arena could close for good. Piscataquis Forward — a brand-new local nonprofit — has stepped up to take on ownership and keep the ice running. To do that, we need to raise $500,000.
A Community on the Rise
Dover-Foxcroft is having a moment. The Mill redevelopment, new businesses downtown, young families moving in — there’s real momentum here. The Ice Arena is part of that story. It’s created jobs, given kids somewhere to go, and become one of the things that makes people want to put down roots in Piscataquis County. Losing it wouldn’t just mean losing a building. It would mean losing one of the few places that brings this whole community together.
“A community without a gathering place loses more than convenience — it loses the connective tissue that holds people together.”
Who Skates Here?
The Arena currently hosts, or will host under Piscataquis Forward, a rich and diverse portfolio of programs touching every segment of the community:
• Penquis Youth Hockey Association — competitive and recreational hockey for children and teens across the region, giving young athletes a team, a season, and a sense of belonging
• Ice Dance International (IDI) — figure skating programs, performances, and shows that bring artistry and discipline to young skaters
• Learn to Skate USA — beginner skating instruction for children and adults, making the ice accessible to first-timers of all ages
• Public skating sessions — open to all, a rare and beloved gathering opportunity in a county with limited recreational options
• Curling, broomball, and shinny (drop-in) hockey — inclusive, low-barrier programming that draws casual participants of all ages
• iTrain Hockey Camps — attracting youth hockey participants from across the state of Maine
• School and physical education programming — serving area students through the local district, making the Arena an extension of the classroom
• The Dover Cove Farmers’ Market — held at the Arena facility, demonstrating the space’s role as a true community hub beyond the ice
“Once a rural community loses its ice arena, it rarely gets it back. This is a now-or-never moment for Piscataquis County.“
The Big Goal: Ice All Year
Right now, the Arena only runs seasonally. Making it year-round is the single biggest thing we can do to secure its future — unlocking summer hockey camps, year-round figure skating, more school programs, and steady rental income instead of just a few months a year. It’s the difference between a nice-to-have and a true community anchor.
Who We Are
Piscataquis Forward is a group of local people — folks with backgrounds in civic leadership, economic development, and nonprofit governance — who believe rural communities thrive when they invest in shared spaces. Taking on the Ice Arena is our first big project, and we’re committed to running it openly, affordably, and for the long haul.
"For a child growing up in Piscataquis County, the Ice Arena may be the only place they will ever learn to skate, play on a team, or perform for an audience. With year-round ice, that opportunity multiplies — for every child, every season, every year."
Where the $500,000 Goes
1. Keeping the lights on — operating funds to get through the transition and keep programs running without interruption
2. Fixing what’s overdue — mechanical systems, ice-making equipment, and facility upgrades that can’t wait much longer
3. Growing access — more programming, plus financial assistance so cost never keeps a local kid off the ice
4. Year-round ice — the refrigeration and staffing investment that turns a seasonal rink into a year-round hub
How You Can Help
We’re looking for partners at every level:
• Foundations focused on rural communities and youth development
• Hockey and figure skating organizations that support access to the sport
• State and federal rural development programs
• Local businesses who know a strong community is good for business
• Individual donors who learned to skate somewhere like this — and want to pass that on
Naming rights and sponsorship opportunities are available. If you’d like to talk about a partnership, reach out to John at john@piscataquisforward.org.
$500,000. Keep the ice. Keep the community. Keep the future.
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