These stories can also be heard on Sunday mornings around 10 am on WILD 102’s “Look Back in Time” program. Each week’s radio story will be posted here on our website.
Weekly radio stories are researched, compiled, and read by Sheila Winstead, RCHS Board Member.
June 22, 2025
This interesting chronology of the first enclosed skating rink in Roseau was in the Roseau Times-Region of November 27, 1925. Photos of many of the organizers mentioned in this article were also included.
Roseau’s Memorial Skating Rink
At sundry times in the past, the need of an enclosed ice rink had been felt but the time never seemed opportune for the successful undertaking of such a venture. It remained for Kaleb E. Lindquist Post No. 24 of Roseau to take up the plan with the purpose of making it a concrete thing. What really was needed was an organization to get behind it and to arouse public sentiment in favor of the rink.
The idea was born at the annual meeting of the Post, November 24, 1924. The Post was looking for something to do. Other Posts had their own club house and the Roseau Post needed it as badly as any other Post, but the boys would rather undertake something for the community if it should tackle something big; and, so when the enclosed memorial rink was suggested, it was accepted without dissent.
The possibilities of the rink during all seasons were talked about, and as the talk went on enthusiasm grew. How? When? Where? Became the three important questions. To get at a general idea of cost, location and public sentiment a committee made up of Henry Hagen, J. W. Taylor and Roy J. Hagen was appointed; this committee to make a report at the next meeting of the Post.
This committee made a report at the meeting of the Post, January 26th, 1925. The result of their work was briefly summed up in the Times-Region’s report that week as follows:
“Skating rink committee made a report of its survey as regards sentiment encountered, costs and probable plans of building and financing. The committee submitted a tentative plan for financing by selling non-interest bearing bonds in small denominations and the Legion and Auxiliary to assume the obligation of refunding these from funds derived at different times from its various activities. It was an open meeting, and a number of invited friends present pledged their moral and financial support.”
The main campaign for the rink began when, at a special meeting of the Post, February 2nd, it was decided to divide the Legion’s committee into three committees, making the Legion members chairmen of their respective groups of three. Two non-members were to be invited to serve on Organization and Control – Henry Hagen, Chairman, G. M. Stebbins, M. J. Hegland.
In order to bring the matter to a head as quickly as possible it was decided to call a mass meeting for the evening of February 28th. The Roseau Band furnished music and the Auxiliary served free coffee and doughnuts. Andrew Johnson Jr., was made chairman of the meeting.
A Gothic structure 160 x 80, at a cost of about $5,000 was the report of the plans and estimates committee; issue certificates in $50 denominations in the amount needed, was the recommendation of the finance committee; and the committee on legal aspects offered the suggestion that an incorporation be formed. Among those present who spoke in favor of the rink were J. P. Anderson, R. J. Bell, J. L. Delmore, A. R. Bruss, J. A. Burkee, Ed. G. Johnson, J. A. Hanson, Evan O. Oie, Carl Klingard, J. P. Grothe, Carl von Rohr, Henry Hagen, J. W. Taylor and E. J. Peterson.
The finance committee canvassed a few of those present that evening with the result that the rink fund had a start of $1,200.00. On March 2nd the Legion Post went on record as guaranteeing a 10 per cent yearly refund of the principal to subscribers either in cash or its equivalent – in season skating tickets – until principal had been repaid. The Post would pay no interest.
Meanwhile the three committees were hard at work. The committee on plans had centered about the Gothic plan, J. P. Grothe drawing the plans and specification. The finance committee canvassed the village and met with good response, so that bids for material and construction were advertised f
or and these opened, April 18th. George J. Row Lumber Company secured the contract for material and Boberg & Nelson got the building contract. A reduction in the size of the building to 70 x 160 had been made.
Eight lots between the Scenic Garage and Emmett Dahlquist’s residence property were bought, and actual work on the building started the week of June 18th. The building plans called for a structure 70 x 160 feet with an addition of two warming rooms each 12 x 24 feet. The building was to rest on a concrete foundation 2-1/2 feet high, the arched roof to start from the top of the foundation and to rise to a height of thirty feet at the peak. A gallery and storeroom were planned for over the warming rooms.
A bowery floor, having an area of 4,800 square feet, was laid by volunteer help the week preceding the county fair. It was built in sections, 5 x 16 feet, for the purpose of using these as side walls in the rink during the skating season – these being absolutely needed for hockey.
The building was completed in September and the first big event to take place in it was the two-day Legion Carnival, September 25th and 26th, which was in effect a celebration over the completed undertaking. The community had built its enclosed rink and it had at the same time put up a memorial to the service men which in itself honored their service by giving service. The people from far and near showed their approval by attending in large numbers.
Next week I’ll tell about that carnival and read the rest of the article telling all the steps it took to create that first arena in 1925.
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