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Colorado Extreme Hockey players practice on the ice at the facility near Carbondale, Colorado.

Carbondale hockey facility expansion approved

Second ice rink, summer training offerings coming to Colorado Extreme Hockey

PRESS RELEASE
February 28, 2025

Garfield County has approved a substantial modification to a limited land use change permit for Colorado Extreme Hockey to develop a second temporary outdoor youth hockey rink and summertime training area at its facility off County Road 100, east of Carbondale. The proposal includes a second full-sized hockey rink with supporting facilities, a long-span structure with either indoor turf or a multi-sport training area, a canopied warming hut, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible viewing area, and spectator facilities for special events, according to the proposal.

Hours of operation for both winter and summer activities are from 4:30 to 8:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with ongoing maintenance taking place on the same days between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., according to the proposal.

“The project will feature expanded parking near each proposed structure, with a minimum of three ADA-accessible spaces per new facility,” the proposal notes. “The second rink will include two changing rooms (one standard and one ADA-accessible) and an ADA-compliant bathroom.”

“The size has gone up and a second rink added, with additional support for that rink, including bathrooms, warming huts, spectator areas, additional parking, changing rooms and all standard improvements,” said Garfield County Community Development Director Glenn Hartmann. “The second rink will be lighted, and the major request is the addition of a long-span (tent-fabric) structure about 11,000 square feet in size.”

He added that there would be a projected maximum of 145 daily participants daily with 107 parking spaces. Summer events are projected at an average of 20 daily participants, and the facility will have staff and coaches present at all events, according to the proposal. Any special event with more than 350 people that lasts more than 8 hours would require an additional land-use change permit, Hartmann told the Board of County Commissioners.

Luke Robitaille, chief of staff for Colorado Extreme Hockey, told the board that the long-span structure would provide extra training space during harsh weather conditions.

“The majority of the area would be used for off-ice training,” he said. “This is for during inclement weather; as you know, sometimes we get a lot of snow and as we approach the fall and spring months, we get a lot of rain, so we want to be able to provide an opportunity for athletes to get out and get active with us. … There could also be some supplemental storage use, but nothing major.”

Garfield County Community Development staff recommended approval of the proposal with conditions, including board review and approval of any future non-hockey-related sports programming, such as soccer or lacrosse, at the site. The existing ice rink facility on the site was initially approved in 2022.

Robitaille said that Colorado Extreme provides a path for local kids to learn how to skate and play competitive hockey without being priced out by the high cost of gear and travel.

“We’ve expanded into Rifle and up into Craig in northern Colorado, and with that our program membership has been growing, which is great for both us and the community,” Robitaille said. “Our goal is and always has been to provide accessibility within the game of hockey. This sport can be very expensive. You can go and buy a pair of skates for $1,000 and that’s just one piece of equipment. Then you need to buy shin guards, pants, helmet, shoulder pads, sticks, and sticks these days can push $500, which is absolutely mind-blowing.

“We want to provide an opportunity for kids to play hockey who might not have the money or (chance) to step out onto the ice and try it,” he continued. “We’re providing them with a pathway to start playing competitive hockey and to be able to travel around the country playing this great game that we all love.”

The substantial modification to the limited land use change permit was approved by the board unanimously, 3-0.

“I want to thank you for expanding the program,” added Commissioner Perry Will. “Hopefully, the programs in Rifle and Craig are really picking up and you’re getting a lot of kids out there on the ice.”