Hockeyville™ USA

In 2018, the Village of Clinton was named 2018 “Kraft Hockeyville™ USA,” a title that captured the village’s 100-year history with the sport and the region’s passion for the game.

The distinction came about as the result of the Clinton Arena winning the fourth annual Kraft Hockeyville™ USA contest sponsored by the National Hockey League (NHL), NHL Players’ Association and Kraft Heinz. More than 4,000 ice rinks from across the country competed for the title, with the winner selected through a nationwide public vote.

“Clinton brought to life the essence of this program—both on the rink and off—and showed inspiring passion to rally their community,” said Michelle St. Jacques, former head of brand marketing and research & development for Kraft Heinz.

The arena, a local icon among the community’s spirited hockey fans, was awarded $150,000 in rink improvements as well as the opportunity to host a nationally televised, pre-season NHL game between the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2018.

In preparation for the big game, initial arena improvements included the installation of new glass and netting to improve safety and audience visibility. These enhancements were just the beginning for the arena, which was built in the early 1950s after Clinton’s original indoor rink, home to the Clinton Comets, burned in 1953. Rebuilt in less than a year, the Clinton Arena is now proudly listed on the National Historic Register, and many of its original fixtures remain intact.

To build on the momentum created by the Hockeyville™ USA designation, the Town of Kirkland established the Clinton Arena Improvement Fund at The Community Foundation. The fund allows for charitable donations to be made in support of future enhancements.

The Community Foundation awarded the Town of Kirkland a $15,000 grant to perform a study that will help mold a plan for addressing the facility’s greatest needs, predicting the associated costs and providing a timeline for completion. The study, done by Nelson Associates of Clinton, establishes a potential $4 million project that, in phases, would renovate and expand the arena from top to bottom. Work includes a new weight room, the addition of a girls’ locker room and an expansion that opens up avenues for community use beyond skating.

Exciting things are ahead for this anchor of the Clinton community that many generations of hockey players, ice skaters, sports teams and families have lovingly referred to as their second home.