HELP US BRING A RINK TO THE GORGE.

Land is under contract and an anonymous donor has pledged to fund the purchase.

Now we're taking the next steps to build an indoor rink — a year-round home on the ice for the kids, families, and the Columbia Gorge community.

Donate!
July 27 2026
Save the date

Summer fundraising party at The Ruins.

Mark your calendars — an evening at The Ruins to celebrate the rink and raise the next stretch. Details to come.

Keep scrolling

Here’s the rest of the story.

A quick map of what’s below — the building, the programs, where the dollars stand, and how to get involved.

01

The vision

An NHL-standard sheet built for the Gorge climate, next to the high school.

02

Programs

Hockey, figure skating, learn-to-skate, curling, public sessions — year-round.

03

Where we stand

Land, permits, fundraising progress — the real numbers, no spin.

04

How to help

Donate, give through a DAF, or just say hi. Every bit moves the project.

Why a rink

It’s for the kids.

The Gorge already plays. Pond hockey at Laurence Lake and the Hook when the ice forms. Roller hockey during the winter months. Figure skaters and beginners lacing up wherever they can find a sheet.

But there’s no permanent home. Adult leagues drive to Portland for ice time. Seasons disappear when the weather doesn’t cooperate. The next generation grows up improvising.

This rink has been a conversation in the Gorge for years — on long drives home from Portland, on chairlifts, at community gatherings. CGSA is the volunteer-run nonprofit turning that conversation into something real.

Two young boys smiling and posing for a photo, with one making a peace sign. Behind them, there are hockey jerseys and American flags hanging on the wall, suggesting a sports or team celebration.
Young boy in a hockey jersey wearing a medical helmet with a chin strap at a hospital or clinic.
An adult helping a young child on an ice rink, with the child wearing a helmet and skating gear. The adult is bent over supporting the child, both on ice skates. In the background, an American Cup banner is visible.
People ice fishing on a frozen lake with snow-covered mountains and trees in the background.

Who we are

Like you, we have a love of Ice! Skating, Curling and Hockey!

CGSA is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) of Gorge residents — parents, hockey players, figure skaters, and business owners — working to bring a year-round rink to the place we call home.

Meet the board
Ice hockey game scene with a player in maroon and beige uniform skating on ice, another player near the goal, and a goalie in maroon and beige gear standing in front of the net.
Two hockey players and a young boy on an ice rink, all wearing green jerseys with yellow and red stripes, smiling at the camera. The players are holding hockey sticks, and the rink is empty with red seats and banners hanging above.
People gathered on a snow-covered outdoor ice rink, with a line of tall pine trees and a mountain in the background during daytime.
A child's handwritten poster with colorful illustrations, divided into sections. The top part has a title about being mayor of Hood River, Oregon, with text in rainbow colors. Below, there are drawings of a water park with water slides, a swimming ar
People ice skating on a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered landscape and mountains in the background.
A woman in dark clothing and a hoodie ice skating outside on a rink during daytime. She is in a low pose, with one arm raised and looking towards the camera, with snow visible in the background.
People ice skating outdoors on a sunny day, including children and adults wearing winter clothing and skates.
Youth hockey players wearing helmets and jerseys playing ice hockey on an indoor rink, with a referee in a striped shirt watching in the background.
An indoor curling rink with people curling and sweeping stones on the ice.
A group of people enjoying a winter day on a frozen lake, dressed in winter sports attire and holding hockey sticks, with snow-covered mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Group of people playing hockey on a frozen lake with snow-covered mountains in the background, a campfire in the foreground, and cloudy sky.
A young boy stands at the glass barrier watching a hockey player, who is smiling and looking at the boy, in an indoor ice rink. Several players are skating in the background, with flags hanging from the ceiling.
People skating on an outdoor ice rink with a forest of pine trees and a mountain in the background under a clear blue sky.
Side profile of a female hockey player wearing a Bauer helmet and face cage, dressed in a padded jacket, outdoors in winter. Background shows trees and houses in black and white.
People in winter clothing sitting and standing on snow-covered ground near a treeline with a mountain in the background, under a clear blue sky with the sun shining.

The vision

Here’s what we’re building.

A full NHL-standard ice sheet housed in a warm, durable building designed for the Gorge climate — locally inspired materials, generous daylight, and ample seating along the ice.

Adjacent to Hood River Valley High School. Built to last generations and to belong to the whole community.

*Concept rendering · final design and materials may evolve as the project progresses.*

A modern building labeled CGSA Ice Rink with a dark exterior, parking lot, and landscaped areas, with mountains and a snow-capped peak in the background.
A modern building labeled CGSA Ice Rink with a dark exterior, parking lot, and landscaped areas, with mountains and a snow-capped peak in the background.
Something for everyone

For every age, every ability, every reason to skate.

A home rink isn’t one sport or one age group. It’s the place where first-time skaters take their first laps, adult league regulars get their Tuesday-night game, and Saturday-night dates happen on the ice.

Learn-to-skate

First-time skaters of every age. Group lessons, family sessions, drop-in basics.

Youth hockey

Practice, league play, and tournaments for kids who already love the game.

Adult hockey

Pickup, adult leagues, open ice. The sport you’ve been driving two hours for.

Figure skating

Lessons, freestyle sessions, and competitive training in a real rink — not a pond.

Public skating

Saturday nights. Family afternoons. Holiday skates. Open to anyone with skates and an hour.

Curling

Learn-to-curl clinics, leagues, and bonspiels. Friendliest sport on ice — no experience required.

Coach & official development

Programs that grow the next generation of Gorge skating leaders.

Raised to date
$535,593
of a $10M goal
Phase 1 · Early Momentum Fund — engineering, permitting, pre-construction · 5.4%
  • Land is under contract and a donor has pledged funding Done
  • Grants are being identified and submitted In progress
  • Hood River County permits submitted In progress
Inspiration & testimonials

Voices from the Gorge.

A few of the more than a thousand Gorge residents who’ve already told us why a rink belongs here.

Socializing
“Those of us who grew up with a rink in the ‘hood know its value to the whole community. Moms, dads and kids can skate and/or play hockey their entire lives. It’s great for socializing, fitness, parties, lessons and competition. My family is excited, and I look forward to seeing you there!”
Gorge resident · Survey response
Off the street
“A Gorge ice rink will be so much more than just a place to play ice hockey, the greatest game on earth. It will be somewhere for kids to go, as it was for me, instead of hanging out around town on a Saturday night.”
Gorge resident · Survey response
Teamwork
“I want to teach my children how to skate and play hockey. Some of the best lessons in life can be learned there — like how to compete, or how to be part of a team.”
Gorge resident · Survey response
Add your voice

Show your support.

Want a rink in the Gorge? Tell us — the more voices we have, the stronger the case for funders, partners, and the county. Or read what your neighbors already said.

Take the survey See the results
More ways to help

Other ways to support, or just say hi.

Donor-advised fund?

Recommend a grant to CGSA from Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or any DAF sponsor. We’re a registered 501(c)(3) — EIN 33-2079456.

See how to give →

Got a question?

Want to volunteer, partner with us, or just learn more? The board reads every message. We’d love to hear from you.

Contact us →