Chubbuck Welcomes Inline Hockey

Chubbuck Welcomes Inline Hockey

By Becky Ponkow

Two years ago the Pocatello Inline Hockey Association approached the City of Chubbuck to find an area to call home for the Inline Hockey Players. The Association had moved to Planet Skate from Deleta because of the need for more space but with the arrival of Lowe’s, the Association found itself searching once again for a new home.

The City of Chubbuck and its Development Authority decided to give the Association a leg up in June of this year. Although the City had already committed part of Capell Park to the Association, fund raising proved extremely difficult. One of the issues was the fact that although the Association will own the building it was located on public land. Lenders and patrons were concerned over the ramifications of not owning the land the building was located. The City felt that by helping with the initial cement slab, the Association could prove the City’s commitment to the project. To accomplish the initial phase, the Chubbuck Development Authority authorized up to $65,000 to complete the slab.

The facility will be owned and run by the newly renamed Chubbuck/Pocatello Inline Hockey Association. The Association will open the facility to other groups when not in use by the leagues. Currently because the site is not covered, the City is treating it as a part of the park; however, once the facility is roofed, the Association will cover the liability insurance concerns.

Chubbuck Mayor Steve England enthusiastically embraces the facility. He sees it as a first step to expanding the offerings of Chubbuck’s parks and improving economic conditions. The overall plan for Capell Park may have lighting for night games, lighted tennis courts, and a skate board court. Mayor England believes the facility could be the catalyst for new motels and further industrial development and stated, “this particular facility is probably going to be one of the best in the Northwest if not THE best when it’s finished.”

The first scheduled event will be a street dance in conjunction with Chubbuck Days in August.

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posted by Idaho Examiner Blog at 8:23 AM

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