A Harmonious Collaboration baseball, lacrosse, and soccer practices.
Outdoor fields host league play through tory hockey clinics ensure that financial hardship doesn’ t stand in the way of a child picking up a stick for the first time.
Adult players take the ice for co-ed leagues like Main Street Hockey and the women’ s Rusty Blades, or drop-in sessions like Tuesday Night Hockey and Wednesday Pick-Up. There’ s also adult beginner hockey for those just starting out— all reflective of the rink’ s mission to build community through inclusive recreation.“ Everybody’ s welcome,” says Hand.“ You’ ll see guys who’ ve played for years skating with someone who’ s trying to stay upright for the first time. And they’ re all laughing together. That’ s the kind of place this is.”
Off the ice, the Civic Center transitions with the seasons. After the ice is removed each spring, the facility is transformed into an indoor turf field, setting the stage for
Vermont Fusion Soccer, Equinox Lacrosse, and Equinox Valley Football Club, among other leagues. Camp programs and youth sports run throughout the summer, while adult soccer and lacrosse leagues keep the energy high into fall. Meanwhile, the 18-hole disc golf course and Trackman golf simulator remain open nearly yearround, providing active outlets no matter the weather.
One of the Civic Center’ s most impactful initiatives is their scholarship program. Championed by many involved parties, but especially by Barbara Levin and Paul Schwindt, it is one of the most important aspects of the Riley Rink’ s mission. Thanks to a designated endowment established by early donors, the rink provides financial aid for local youth, who otherwise could not afford to participate.“ We didn’ t want anybody left out,” Hand says.“ That’ s been
part of the mission since the beginning.”
Capital Campaign: Investing in the Next Generation
In 2024, the Civic Center launched a new capital campaign to ensure its longterm viability. With funds earmarked for replacing the rink floor, upgrading the dasher boards, improving critical infrastructure, and maintaining its new electric Zamboni, the campaign represents the next chapter in the story— one where Riley Rink continues to serve as Southern Vermont’ s premier hub for athletics, culture, and connection.
“ As much as this place has grown, we’ re not done yet,” Hand added.“ This facility was built by the community, for the community— and we want it to thrive for the next 30 years and beyond.”
While the current fundraising goal of $ 2.45
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