With its full-season ice availability, training facilities, and mid-sized spectator capacity, the VFW Arena is plays a major role in local hockey development, community recreation, and winter fitness.
The Arena at a Glance
Hours
9:00 am - 10:30 p.m.
- Ice Season: September 15-April 15
- Floor size: 85' x 190'
- Seating: 500 seats
- Locker Rooms: Four
- Rest Rooms: Two
- Parking: 100 spaces
- Concession Stands: One
- Exercise Room
- Off-Ice Hockey Training Area
Serving East Grand Forks Since 1982
Built in 1982, the VFW Memorial Arena was constructed to provide additional ice capacity for East Grand Forks' growing youth hockey and figure skating programs. Around 1992, a locker room expansion was completed to increase team support space while leaving the majority of the original building intact. Following the devastating 1997 Red River Flood, the arena's original ice plant was replaced with a used refrigeration system, and much of the facility's current mechanical infrastructure dates back to that post-flood replacement. Since its construction, the arena has remained largely unchanged structurally, continuing to serve as a reliable community rink while the City has prioritized major renovations and improvements at other recreation facilities.
A Part of the Community
Although smaller than the Civic Center, the VFW Arena is an essential part of East Grand Forks' recreation system. It allows the community to:
- Support multiple youth hockey teams practicing simultaneously.
- Host figure skating and Learn-to-Skate programs without conflicting with varsity schedules.
- Extend available ice time during busy winter months.
- Provide summer ice opportunities.
- Reduce scheduling pressure on the Civic Center.
With the VFW Arena, accommodating the community's current hockey and skating participation is possible.
Caring for the Future
Over the past several years, the City has commissioned feasibility studies examining both the VFW Memorial Arena and the Civic Center. These studies have evaluated:
- Replacement of aging ice-making systems.
- Modernization of mechanical infrastructure.
- ADA improvements.
- Locker room upgrades.
- Site improvements.
- Long-term options for maintaining multiple community ice sheets.
Resources
Contact
Supervisor - Luke Metcalf
(218) 773-1851
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Reserve Ice Time at the VFW Arena
- Ice rental reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance to ensure staff availability.
- Ice rentals are available on a first-come, first serve basis and are subject to change based on calendar and staff availability.
- Open hockey sessions are for East Grand Forks Youth Hockey players only.
- Contact the East Grand Forks Parks & Recreation Department at 218-773-8000 or by email egfparks@egf.mn for building availability.
Ice Time Rentals
at All Arenas
$150/hour
Call Us
(218)399-3270
Email Us
Please indicate the following in your email inquiry:
- Name of arena
- Date and time requested
- Name of event
Meet Us at Our Office
600 Demers Ave
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
Main Floor, East Wing, Suite E102
