Washington Capitals to Refurbish 3 Loudoun Rinks

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA – In an effort to encourage youth participation in hockey, The Washington Capitals plans to upgrade 3 Loudoun rinks in a multi-million dollar rink refurbishment project, according to a joint announcement today by the Capitals and Loudoun County. To further encourage the growth of the game, local schools will receive a full set of street hockey equipment and PE curriculum.

The Capitals will refurbish rinks at Trailside Park in Ashburn, Franklin Park in Purcellville and Douglass Community Center in Leesburg to make them safer and usable year-round by adding durable Sportcourt flooring and replacing the boards, benches and fence with a new Riley board system, according to a NHL announcement.

“This collaborative effort with the Washington Capitals signifies the type of public-private partnership that can bring about long-lasting, positive changes in recreational pursuits for the citizens of Loudoun County,” said Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services director Steve Torpy.

“The improvements to our inline hockey rinks at Trailside Park, Franklin Park and Douglass Community Center will go a long way in providing opportunities for youth throughout the county to experience the great sport of hockey,” he added.

“The Capitals rink refurbishment project with Loudoun County is a testament to our continued commitment to the growth of hockey in the Washington, D.C., region,” said Capitals president Dick Patrick. “We are excited to enhance the three rinks and aim to increase participation in local hockey programs as more youth are exposed to the sport as a result of the redesigned sites. This initiative is a major step in growing the game, and we appreciate the efforts of Loudoun County in facilitating the project.”

According to the NHL, the project is part of the Capitals’ investment of more than $1.6 million toward the development of youth hockey in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., and is funded primarily by the National Hockey League’s Industry Growth Fund (IGF). $300,000 was awarded to initiatives focusing on diversity, through which the Capitals announced a partnership with DC Public Schools in February. $900,000 was allocated toward the advancement of ball and street hockey. The Capitals will contribute an additional $401,000 toward the growth of youth hockey in support of the project.

The NHL and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) established the IGF within the 2013 collective bargaining agreement to advance the development of youth hockey. The Capitals application was reviewed and approved last Spring by a committee comprised of NHLPA and NHL officials, according to the announcement.

Image credit: Washington Capitals