MV Arena

Two years after its renovation, the Ice Arena continues to be essential to the fabric of the year-round Island community, impacting over a thousand local youth through regular ice activities all four seasons, and thousands of youth visitors. 2019 was the first year the Ice Arena was fully integrated into the operations of the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard. We continue to provide quality ice and programs for infants to college age youth, including hockey; figure skating and learn to skate programs; collaborations with the MV Public and Charter Schools, Island Preschools and non-profit organizations; birthday parties; events; public skating; and public stick and puck. To increase youth impact and sustainability, collaborations are important to our mission, starting from birth. MVCS continues to hold a Stroller Skate program for infants. The MV Figure Skating Club holds a Preschool Skating program. The Charter School and the whole Chilmark School had field trips to the Arena. Additionally, while the Tisbury Middle School students were relocated to the High School, the Y was happy to help by hosting 140 students for 30 hours a week for the semester to accommodate their Unified Arts classes, including Physical Education at the Ice Arena. In collaboration with the West Tisbury Library this summer, we offered another Skate and Read Day with Bruins Mascot Blades free to the community. The Y After School and Summer Camp programs utilize the Arena ongoing throughout the year. We hosted the Bruins Alumni team for a hockey game fundraiser against the local adult league that we hope to make into an annual event, and the Youth Hockey House Mites were given a chance to play against their mentors. We also continue to employ teens and young adults as the primary workforce at the Arena. Thanks to your incredible generosity providing a first-class ice skating facility, we are able to continue an important Island legacy of providing ice activities to our community and impact more people as we grow our organization.