FOX CROSSING, Wis. (WFRV) — After more than a decade of operating under a lease agreement with Winnebago County, Appleton Ice Inc. is now the official owner of the Tri-County Ice Arena — and they’re wasting no time in launching a capital campaign aimed at keeping the facility skating strong for decades to come.
The nonprofit organization announced a $4.1 million fundraising effort to upgrade the more than 50-year-old building, which includes replacing the rink floor, installing new ice-making equipment, and adding insulation to help reduce rising energy costs.
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“This building is over 50 years old,” said Kevin Grater, general manager of Appleton Ice Inc. “One of the challenges that we face is outdated equipment. When we infuse capital into this facility, we’ll be able to make ice more effectively and efficiently, which helps our bottom line and the community we serve.”
Grater says the transfer of ownership was essential to move the campaign forward. With full control of the building, Appleton Ice can now pursue long-term donor commitments and naming rights to help secure the funds needed.
“A couple of donors were nervous,” Grater explained. “They’d ask, ‘How are you offering 25-year naming rights if you only have the building for four more years?’ So we asked the county board to expedite the transfer.”
The “Funding the Future” campaign has already raised over $1.2 million since launching in January, according to campaign chair Tommy Wroblewski. A former skater at the rink himself, Wroblewski says this effort is about more than infrastructure.
“I grew up on this rink,” Wroblewski said. “What we’re doing now is putting these kids in a position where, when they’re my age, they can give back to the next group of kids in this area.”
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Renovations are expected to begin in the summer of 2026.
Click here to learn more about the campaign or make a donation.
