Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1995 the Oahe Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for amateur hockey in the Pierre/Ft. Pierre communities. Pierre/Ft. Pierre is one of the smallest communities in South Dakota to offer youth hockey, yet the OHA consistently produces some of the top teams in its respective divisions. Every year approximately 215-240 skaters participate in the program across 14 different teams. One in every fourteen K-12 students participates in hockey. The OHA hosts over 130 games each year including 3 tournaments and offers 8 nights of free recreational skating to the public. To fulfill OHA’s operational needs, parents and skaters fill over 2,000 volunteer spots which equates to thousands of hours.

Built in 1998, the Expo Center is home for the Oahe Capitals games from October through March. The facility is owned by the counties of Hughes and Stanley and the cities of Pierre and Ft. Pierre. In 2016, the OHA purchased the Ice Barn, a used private rink, to provide additional ice availability for the program. However, the Ice Barn serves solely as a practice facility and cannot host spectators in its current state. It is in dire need of numerous updates and upgrades to remain serviceable as an ice facility.

The OHA has developed a three-phase multi-year improvement plan to provide quality ice facilities in central South Dakota. Phase 1 was completed in 2022 and included initial improvements to the Ice Barn including a new Zamboni, new boards and glass, refrigeration system upgrades, and more. Phase 2 was completed in 2023 and includes refrigeration system improvements at the Expo Center. Phase 3 consists of renovating the Ice Barn into a year-round rink capable of hosting games and events. This will allow the OHA to maximize the potential of a year-round ice facility by expanding tournaments, offering summer events, and offering more recreational skating opportunities. This project will also benefit our figure skating partners (Central South Dakota Skating Club) and bring more visitors to the Pierre/Ft. Pierre communities.

In 2022, the OHA earmarked $20,000 and embarked on a capital campaign to fund this project estimated at $5 million. Thanks to numerous supporters, the OHA has raised over $1 million in the first 18 months of the campaign! The OHA has a goal to raise the remaining $4 million in 2023 and 2024 through sponsorships, donations, and grants.

Questions?

Nick Marso

605-280-8252

capitalizefund@gmail.com