Cooler Than Ever: The Ice Box Cuts the Ribbon

During the hottest part of the summer, South Bend turned its attention to a much cooler milestone — the ribbon cutting for the new third rink at The Ice Box.

A $50,000 Special Project Grant from the Community Foundation helped make the new rink possible. More ice means more opportunity — for kids learning to skate, for families discovering new passions, and for teams in need of practice space.

It also means more room for equity, helping underserved kids get time on the ice that might otherwise be out of reach.

“When we talk about opportunities for all, it goes beyond just economic opportunities,” said South Bend Mayor James Mueller. “It goes to quality of life, to who we are as people and the relationships that we form. And of course we know a lot of great relationships form here at The Ice Box.”

Beyond its local impact, the expansion also boosts the region’s economic potential, allowing The Ice Box to host more tournaments and draw more out-of-town visitors to South Bend.

But more than anything else, The Ice Box is a place that South Bend can be proud of, and thanks to plenty of community support — including the Foundation’s $50,000 investment — the coolest place in town just got even cooler.