YESTERDAY: For Nearly twenty years as City of Newark Parks and Recreation Director, Terry Frame established and improved the Newark Municipal Ice Rink. The Newark Municipal Ice Rink began in the early 1980’s as an innovative idea to bring an outdoor ice-sheet to Newark from Pennsylvania, and was enclosed in the mid-1990’s. Combining his vision and leadership with outside donations and limited internal funding, Terry always found necessary resources for each phase of construction. That ice-based recreation survived, and today we celebrate his vision and sincerely thank him for his dedication and determination.

TODAY: Jack Vivian a respected ice industry veteran and area resident first urged Newark’s leaders to improve their ice rink, and then, advised them on how to do it. In June 2005, City Council gave a green light to the Newark Ice Arena Renovation Project. In just six short months, nearly $1.2 million of cash & in-kind donations and a great deal of volunteer and professional labor have produced a multi-use, multi-season facility that our community can be proud of. The first game played in the newly renovated then Newark Ice Arena was played in late October when the Newark Generals JV team took on the PRPC Prowler. The Newark Ice Arena was renamed in December of 2006, LOU & GIB REESE ICE ARENA, one small way of thanking the Reese family for their generous donation to the Newark Ice Arena Renovation Project.

 2011:  Denison University has donated an e-ceiling to assist in energy conservation.  The arena repainted the main support beams in anticipation of the  ceiling installation... it was completed in July of 2011.

TOMORROW: This facility has undergone a spectacular transformation! Its promising future is ensured by an innovative partnership, overseen by the non-profit Newark Sport and Event Commission, whose mission includes the following objectives:

• To develop and encourage interest in skating as an affordable family recreational activity.
• To create opportunities to learn how to skate and to pursue skating beyond the introductory level.
• To provide a suitable environment for the training and competition of skaters and hockey players.
• To enhance economic development & tourism by hosting competitions, tournaments, shows and events.

The Newark Sport and Event Commission would like to thank the following for exceptional generosity and visionary leadership of these distinguished individuals and organizations is demonstrated throughout this Arena.

Platinum

City of Newark, The Thomas J. Evans Foundation, The Lindorf Family Foundation, Jane & Bill McConnell

Gold

The John & Mary Alford Foundation, Buckeye Ready Mix, City of Newark Service Department Employees, The LeFevre Foundation, John H. McConnell, Lou Mitchell, Newark Ice Hockey Association Volunteers, Park National Corp. Foundation, Southgate Corporation

Silver

American Crane, The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, Denison University Hockey, Dow Chemical, The First Federal Foundation, Holophane Lighting, JRV Management, Nice Carpet, Robertson Construction State Farm Insurance Company, William E. York (NIHA)

Bronze

Best Supply, Cherubini Designs (NIHA), Claypool Electric, Colorscapes/Granville Builder’s Supply, The Energy Cooperative, Alan & Nancy Hoffmann (NIHA), HRJL Architects, Huntington Bank, The Licking County Foundation, Dick & Dorothy Oberfield, Jim & Chris Patin, Smart Surveying, John & Sarah Wallace

Copper

Albyn’s Landscaping, Asplundh Tree Service, The Chase Family (NIHA), Edwin & Ruth Fowler (NIHA), Stephen H. Fowler (NIHA), Hanbaum-Gartner Family, Home Depot (Newark), Kessler Signs Company, Dave & Carol Mead (NIHA), Mock Woodworking, William S. & Sue O. Moore, National Safe & Security Systems, Oberfield/Buckeye Ready Mix, Redskin Transport, Shelly Materials, Signs Now, Mobile Storage Group, Elliott Trumbull, Truck One, Jack & Regina Vivian (NIHA), W-H & Associates Engineering, Gifts in Memory of William John York