Key Takeaways:
- Jake Kielb’s Hockey Foundation has launched a $15 million capital campaign to build the Las Vegas Community Sports Complex, which would be the region’s first nonprofit multi-sport facility
- Youth hockey participation in Nevada has grown from approximately 500 players before 2017 to nearly 3,000 today, according to USA Hockey registration data
- The planned 130,000-square-foot facility includes two NHL-sized ice rinks, a 200-by-85-foot indoor turf field, and seating for over 1,500 spectators
- The foundation has already distributed more than $75,000 in equipment and scholarships since its founding a decade ago
- The complex will support multiple sports including hockey, figure skating, soccer, lacrosse, and football
Growing Demand Drives Facility Expansion
Youth hockey participation across Southern Nevada has increased sixfold since the Vegas Golden Knights arrived in 2017. The growth from roughly 500 registered youth players statewide to nearly 3,000 has created capacity challenges at existing ice facilities throughout the valley.
Jake Kielb’s Hockey Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, responded by announcing plans for the Las Vegas Community Sports Complex. The proposed facility would become the area’s first nonprofit, multi-use athletic venue specifically designed to expand ice time access for local families.
“With the growth of youth hockey and how much the numbers have exploded, our ice rinks are becoming overcrowded,” said Gina Usufzy, chairman and CEO of Jake Kielb’s Hockey Foundation. “So if I can have my nonprofit have another ice rink here, it’s just another way to be able to give them access.”
Facility Scope and Features
The 130,000-square-foot complex centers on two NHL-sized ice sheets paired with an indoor turf field measuring 200 by 85 feet. The design accommodates hockey, figure skating, soccer, lacrosse, football, and community events across the venue’s footprint.
Additional planned features include seating capacity for more than 1,500 spectators, a training facility, pro shop, concessions area, and a rooftop restaurant and bar. The multi-sport approach reflects both the organization’s mission to serve diverse athletic needs and the practical requirement to generate sustainable revenue streams.
Scholarship Mission Shapes Project Goals
Affordability remains central to the foundation’s strategy. Usufzy founded the organization ten years ago, before Las Vegas secured its NHL franchise, initially focusing on collecting used equipment for children who needed gear. That early work has since evolved into scholarship programs that have distributed over $75,000 in equipment and financial support.
“My nonprofit is all about giving financial scholarships,” Usufzy said. “So having a facility will be able to give us more financial backing into our scholarship… provide a much more higher scale of scholarships.”
The facility would create a dedicated revenue source to expand the foundation’s existing scholarship work, allowing more families to access ice sports regardless of their financial situation.
What Comes Next
The $15 million capital campaign marks the project’s transition from planning to fundraising. The foundation will need to secure financing, finalize site selection, and navigate the municipal approval process before construction can begin.
For Usufzy, the effort connects directly to the reactions she has seen from young players who receive support through the foundation’s programs. “Happiness,” she said. “It’s about making a difference in their life and keeping them really in the game.”
The timeline for completing the Las Vegas Community Sports Complex will depend on the pace of fundraising and permitting. No specific opening date has been announced.
via: KTNV
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