The Crookston Parks & Rec has opened the Blue Arena in the Crookston Sports Center, behind the Main Arena, for people who want to come and play basketball or skate & shoot pucks on its new synthetic ice that was sponsored by the Pirate Boosters, Hot Stove Hockey, and the Crookston Blue Line Club.
Parks and Recs Director Jake Solberg reported that the Main Arena will be closed for summer and fall preparations but for kids who wish to practice ice skating or play a game of basketball with their friends. The Blue Arena is open for them to come down and play. “It’s open for whatever you want to do if you want to shoot baskets or play a game of 3-on-3 on the basketball court,” said Parks and Recs Director Jake Solberg. “Or if you want to take a buddy and go shoot pucks and pass to each other and skate, it’s open for you.” The new Blue Arena currently has the rink split in half, with one half having synthetic ice with four goalie targets for people to practice skating and their goal shooting for hockey. While on the other is a half-court basketball court. The Blue Arena will be open to the public starting June 9, 2022, through the summer months and will be open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However the Parks and Recs have a few rules that they wish for the public to follow while they are using the Blue Arena.
- Have Fun
- NO SHOES on the synthetic ice. SKATES ONLY
- Children 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older
- No food or drink on the arena floor- keep them in the player’s box
- No wandering around the facility. Stay in the Blue Arena
- Must bring your own equipment (basketball, hockey sticks, etc.)
- NO VANDALISM OR MESSES AT THE CROOKSTON SPORTS CENTER (if this occurs, the Blue Arena will not be open for basketball or hockey)
Parks and Recs Director Solberg also emphasized the fifth rule of wandering the facility, asking visitors to stay within the Blue Arena area as the other areas are off-limits. “We just ask the public, if you’re coming to use the facility, please just use the Blue Arena and nothing else,” said Jake Solberg, “We have it open for the public to use, but not wander around the whole facility. The Turf Room is open too, but that’s only for rental. So, if you want to use that, you need to come in and rent that.” The Crookston Parks & Recs is offering the community the space to play hockey and basketball this summer and asks the public to please respect and follow the rules they provide. If you have any questions about the Arena, you can call the Parks & Recs office at 218-281-1242.
Pictures of the new Blue Arena can be seen below.
