South Raleigh News

Doug Warf, President of the Carolina Hurricanes, has announced the construction of two new street hockey rinks at Apex Community Park. This initiative is part of a collaboration between the team and the NHL’s Industry Growth Fund, which contributed $550,000 to finance the project.

“Participation in hockey is growing exponentially in the Triangle and across North Carolina,” stated Warf. “This project significantly enhances accessibility by providing another facility where kids and adults can try or compete in our sport.”

The facilities will feature 160-by-75-foot rinks with aluminum prefabricated dasher board systems, player benches, penalty boxes, scorekeeper boxes, chain-length fencing, mateflex sport court tile, and scoreboards. One rink will be multipurpose for hockey, futsal, and basketball; the other will focus solely on hockey. The Town of Apex and the Hurricanes plan to offer various programs for youth and adults including free trials, organized leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics, and pick-up games. The rinks are expected to open this spring.

The NHL Industry Growth Fund was established in 2013 as part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) supported by all 32 NHL Clubs. It aims to support business initiatives that promote fan development and increase participation at all levels of hockey with an emphasis on youth involvement. A committee consisting of three NHLPA representatives and four NHL owners oversees this fund.

In its first decade, more than $180 million has been dedicated by IGF towards developing programs that foster awareness and bring hockey to communities across North America.