Ryan Bradley performs a backflip during his performance at Numerica Credit Union’s Winter Ice Gala at Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Wash. (Photo by Digital Media Northwest)
A small arena in Washington state has found a festive way to show off the venue and help more young people skate.
Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Wash., held its annual Numerica Credit Union’s Winter Ice Gala on March 16. More than 200 attendees sat at tables by the ice, enjoyed a four-course dinner and watched Olympic, professional and youth skaters perform.
“We started the gala in 2013,” said Jennifer Bushong, the center’s vice president of marketing and sales. “Skating director Louise Kapeikis and I put our heads together to showcase the facility and bring skating to the forefront, while also raising money for kids who can’t afford to skate.”
About 2,500 invitations went out, and tickets were $125 a person. The gala was promoted on local radio and in regional newspapers.
The gala showcases youth ice skating and raises funds for the Arena Youth Enrichment Fund held by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington. The fund, established in 2012, provides underprivileged youths with the opportunity to learn to skate or attend a show. This year’s event has raised nearly $20,000 for youth ice skating and netted $10,000 for the venue, and Bushong said donations were continuing to come in.
In the past four years, more than $80,000 has been awarded to area schools and nonprofits benefiting hundreds of students.
Numerica Credit Union pays $13,000 for its sponsorship and offers volunteer labor. Bushong said 20 to 25 volunteers helping with the event, in addition to the venue’s full-time staff of 10.
Olympic alpine skier Tom Rothrock attended as an honored guest at this year’s fundraiser, and 2006 U.S. Olympic team member and world champion figure skater Kimmie Meissner performed. The event also featured 2011 U.S. champion Ryan Bradley and Liam Kapeikis, a member of the Wenatchee Figure Skating Club who won the bronze medal in the men’s intermediate division at nationals this year. Musical performers also took part in the show, and Miss Washington 2017, Nicole Renard, emceed the event.
“We bring in big names in figure skating, along with guest favorites,” said Kapeikis. “We add new skaters to the cast each year, and the main cast is made up of our local figure skating club.”
Town Toyota Center, which opened in 2008 and has 4,200 seats, recently announced naming rights for its dedicated skating rink, adjacent to the main arena. A local internet, television and phone services provider, iFiber Communications, signed an agreement in January for $45,000 with a suite sponsorship for a three-year term.
“Even though we are in a small market, we have great sponsors and support,” Bushong said. “We are creating more events than ever, including the gala and a rodeo, and continue to increase attendance.”