Ribbon Cutting – December 7, 2013
Buoyed by hundreds of volunteer hours, the Anchorage Park Foundation and Scotty Gomez Foundation joined forces this summer to completely rebuild the two Mulcahy ice rinks at the Chester Creek Sullivan Arena (16th Ave and Eagle Street).
Built over 30 years ago, the two ice rinks had fallen into disrepair. Kids had stopped skating there. This upset Carlos Gomez, President of the Scotty Gomez Foundation and father of local hockey legend Scotty Gomez. He recognized the ice rinks needed to be completely rebuilt and set out to make that vision a reality. “It’s all for the kids–the fun part is when you see the kids. I have been where they are, and that’s why I’m here,” said Gomez.
The Anchorage Park Foundation and Scotty Gomez Foundation partnered to leverage additional funding from Rasmuson Foundation. Thanks to Senator Ellis’ help, the Alaska State Legislature also contributed, raising the project total to $400,000. It’s a model of a successful private/public partnership. As one of the construction volunteers, a member of the local Ironworkers Union, said, “We always like working with Carlos and the Scotty Gomez Foundation and Anchorage Parks Foundation to make our community a better place to live. Our apprentices learn from the experience, and we all benefit.”
