Former St. Scholastica hockey player Tom Cartier is leading a committee aimed at improving the Mars Lakeview Arena, a key venue for local sports teams, including the St. Scholastica and Duluth Marshall hockey teams and the Duluth Figure Skating Club.
The committee is working to raise $250,000 to fund the construction of a new scoreboard, upgrade fitness facilities, and commission a 292-foot mural by local artist Tim Cortes that will honor the history of the teams that call the arena home.
The fundraising campaign officially launched on Sunday, with Cartier expressing optimism about completing the upgrades in time for the next hockey season.
“Hockey players who have played at Scholastica, Marshall, or Cathedral—if they all contribute, I believe we can reach the $250,000 goal,” Cartier said.
Cartier, who noticed the arena’s condition a few years ago, emphasized the need for renovations. “The fitness center is outdated, and the equipment is old. When I walked into the arena, something just didn’t feel right,” he explained.
Madeline Manion, a member of the Duluth Figure Skating Club, is particularly enthusiastic about the planned mural. “It will be an incredible way to showcase our program’s achievements and history,” Manion said. She believes the new fitness rooms will help enhance the training experience for her and her teammates. “With the new facility, we’ll be able to train more effectively and improve our skills.”
Duluth Marshall Boys’ Hockey captain Layton Anderson also sees the potential benefits of the upgrades. “The possibility of enhanced workout facilities is an exciting opportunity for the whole community, especially for our hockey program. It will certainly aid in player development.”
St. Scholastica Women’s Hockey coach, Julianne Vasichek, expressed pride in the local support for smaller programs. “There’s a strong sense of pride in the local hockey community, and a bit of a chip on our shoulder when it comes to the metro area,” Vasichek said.
For St. Scholastica Women’s Hockey player Jolynn Hauan, the upgrades would make a big difference. “Any improvement to the space makes it feel more like home for us, and that’s a huge deal,” she said.
The committee is hopeful that community support will drive the success of this initiative, providing the necessary funds to enhance the Mars Lakeview Arena and its facilities.
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