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Big Sky, MT (November 30, 2010) – Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association (BSSHA) is well on its way to begin skating in Big Sky thanks to over 20 volunteers who braved cold weather  and attended BSSHA’s Board Raising Party. On Saturday, November 23, volunteers gathered to assemble hockey boards in front of Center Stage at Town Center Park. The hockey boards were donated by Hussey Plumbing, and trucked from Grand Forks, North Dakota by Simkins Hallin Lumber Co. The smaller, recreational skating rink was generously donated to the BSSHA by Lone Mountain Ranch.
 “We were excited to see the rink come together on Saturday. We started out with nothing, and now we have hockey boards, a recreational rink, and are just a few steps away from hockey and skating programs in Big Sky. It’s an exciting time for the organization,” said Ryan Hamilton, President of BSSHA.
    The boards form the newly-named Alpine Ice Rink at Town Center. BSSHA and Alpine Property Management recently signed an agreement giving Alpine Property Management the naming rights to the rink during the time they remove snow daily from both the hockey and recreational rinks. This important partnership will allow the skating and hockey community to focus on building and maintaining ice and less on removing snow.
    In addition to the partnership with Alpine, BSSHA has sold about 15 board sponsorships and has raised over $8,000. Board advertising opportunities are still available at the bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels, at prices ranging from $150 - $750. All sponsors will have their logo or advertisements displayed on the inside of the boards. Money raised from sponsorships will go to lights, equipment, player benches and operating expenses for the rink and Rotherham Construction warming hut.
    Soon after the boards were raised, BSSHA seated a board of directors, which forms the leadership for the development of future hockey and skating programs. The members of the board are: Ryan Hamilton, Griffin Kilby, Rebecca Baker, Ryan Blechta, Brian Dolan, Kinga Wilson, and Gary Hermann.
    The next project for BSSHA is to finish prepping the rinks and begin making ice. BSSHA will be looking for more volunteers to help with the flooding process. In order to make the ice strong enough to skate on, the surface must be leveled and flooded in many thin layers. Once the ice is made, the BSSHA will have use of Moonlight Basin’s  ice resurfacer to maintain the ice this season.

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The Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association (BSSHA) is a Montana non-profit organization whose mission is to provide funding, equipment, and a facility that will educate the public regarding ice skating, hockey, sportsmanship, and to help provide quality, affordable recreational opportunities, including disciplined competitive and recreational hockey for adults and children in Big Sky, and the general public.