Hockey Anyone? Lightning Opens 2 Ball Hockey Rinks In Pasco

HOLIDAY, FL — Pasco County youth will kick off the New Year with a new sports opportunity.

Officials from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pasco County held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for two new public outdoor ball hockey rinks — one at the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Center, 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd., Holiday, and the other at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel.

The rinks are part of 10 that are being constructed throughout the Tampa Bay area as part of the Lightning’s Build the Thunder 2.0 and Connect the Thunder program.

"We are very proud to open these two rinks as part of our pledge to build 10 ball hockey rinks across the Tampa Bay Area," Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said. "These two rinks that we opened will give local youth the opportunity to get outside and play the great game of hockey. The Lightning would like to thank Pasco County for their enthusiasm and support in helping us make this a reality for everyone in Pasco County."

The virtual ribbon-cutting ceremonies were attended by Lightning CEO Steve Griggs and former Lightning general manager of the 2004 Stanley Cup champions, Jay Feaster.

“This is another unique sport for kids to be involved in and learn all the good life lessons you learn when you’re a part of a team,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “These rinks are a real value to the county and to the communities we serve.”

On Oct. 25, 2017, the Lightning announced its plan to build 10 outdoor ball hockey rinks across the five-county footprint of Tampa Bay by the year 2020. That included plans for a centralized Lightning Made Training Center, 6910 Asphalt Ave Unit B, Tampa, which is already open next to Power Pole Arena, home of Xtra Ice in Tampa, that serves as the headquarters of the Lightning's Community Hockey Department.

These new rinks are designed to bring the game into local communities, allowing Tampa Bay's new young hockey players a place to train, whether it is at the grassroots level or in organized leagues and tournaments.

The rinks are approximately 120 by 60 feet and include a full dasher-board system.

In September 2015, through the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association's Industry Growth Fund, the Lightning announced a $6 million grassroots hockey development initiative to be delivered to young people in Tampa Bay.

The NHL and NHLPA have lauded the Lightning's community hockey development efforts under the guidance of 2004 Stanley Cup Champion general manager Jay Feaster, encouraging teams across the entire 31-team league to develop similar programming aimed at growing the game and its fan base at the grassroots level.

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