08/05/2026
Friends of Family Ice,
Because of your support, Family Ice Center is more than a place to skate; it is where our community comes together.
Each year, more than 300,000 skaters and spectators walk through our doors - from those lacing up skates for the very first time to athletes training at the highest levels. With our dual-surface facility, including the Lee Twombly Pond, we are proud to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for families across Southern Maine.
What matters most is access.
Through our Opportunity Skate program, made possible entirely through donor and sponsor support, we provide more than 250 hours of free ice and welcome over 2,500 individuals from 50 community organizations this year. From underserved youth to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, your generosity creates moments of joy, confidence, and belonging by:
• removing financial barriers to sports and recreation;
• expanding opportunities for activity during Maine's long winters;
• maintaining and enhancing our facilities;
• and strengthening community partnerships.
Community engagement and competition.
We proudly serve as a community hub, bringing together tournaments and skating programming.
• The Godfrey Wood Memorial Cup will take place the September 11-13, engaging teams from around the country in a hockey tournament and friendly competition. One hundred percent of tournament participation fees will be donated to Family Ice Center.
• Each year on New Years Day, we host the Dudley Cup for local schools and hockey teams across Greater Portland.
• This past January, Family Ice hosted the inaugural Lobster Pot Men's Hockey Tournament, bringing together Bowdoin, Colby, UNE, and USM for a dynamic two-day competition. This fun event will return in early 2027.
• Family Ice Center continues to serve as home to a wide range of hockey leagues - men's, women's, school programs, and clubs - along with Great Atlantic Speed Skating and the North Atlantic Figure Skating Club.
• And upcoming in the weeks ahead, the rink will be busy with many summer camps and skaters!
These partnerships are vital to sustaining our vibrant, inclusive community to ensure the long-tern success of Family Ice Center.
We are thankful to our sponsors!
We are deeply grateful to the sponsors and donors who make this work possible. Your partnership ensures that our programs remain welcoming and open to all.
The Lee Twombly Pond continues to be a beloved gathering place throughout the winter, offering free outdoor skating for families across the region. With your support, Maine's first refrigerated outdoor skating pond and indoor warming hut remains open and available to the public and for rent for private events!
This year, donations from community members and corporate sponsors to Family Ice Center have allowed us to:
• upgrade rink lighting to enhance the experience;
• improve heating and cooling systems;
• keep the Pond and Pond House open for community enjoyment;
• complete critical maintenance to sustain Family Ice Center for years to come
We anticipate several large-scale infrastructure projects in the years to come, amounting to $2 million in improvements.
Help us keep the ice open for all.
As we look ahead, we invite you to build on this momentum as a Friend of Family Ice. A gift in any amount ensures we remain as a vibrant and accessible community resource.
Please Make a Donation Here: https://familyice.org/sponsorships/donate
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Thank you for being a friend of Family Ice Center,
With gratitude,
Bill Welch, Board President
Family Ice Center
