About Miracle Ice Arena
Our Story
In May 2025, Southern Delaware lost its only indoor ice facility when the Centre Ice Rink at the State Fairgrounds in Harrington was shuttered. This left over 1,000 local skaters, including youth hockey teams, figure skaters, and the "Delmarva Warriors" (a team for disabled veterans), without a home. Families were suddenly forced to drive over 60 miles to Northern Delaware or Maryland just to stay on the ice.
The Movement
"Miracle Ice Arena" is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit born from that loss. Founded by local parents, coaches, and business leaders like Wayne Evans and Chris Steele, the project is a grassroots effort to bring ice sports back to Kent and Sussex Counties.
The Vision
The organization is working to build a $15M–$30M state-of-the-art complex in the Georgetown area (near Route 113). The plan is ambitious:
Two NHL-Sized Sheets: One "Main Arena" with seating for up to 1,200 spectators and a second rink for practices and public skating.
The "Kit" in Storage: In a literal "miracle" move, the group purchased the original ice-making equipment, boards, and Zambonis from the closed Harrington rink for roughly $200k. That equipment is currently sitting in shipping containers, waiting for a new building to house it.
Community Hub: Beyond hockey, the plans include figure skating, "Learn to Skate" programs, curling, and even a bar and grill overlooking the ice to serve as a local social center.
The Goal
As of early 2026, the group is in a massive fundraising push. Their immediate objective is to raise the capital needed to break ground and get at least one sheet of ice operational by Fall 2026.
It’s called "Miracle Ice" because, for the families in Southern Delaware, building a world-class facility from scratch through community donations and grants would be exactly that—a miracle.
Board of Directors
The Board is comprised of local business leaders, educators, and ice sports advocates who volunteered to fill the void left by the 2025 closure of the Harrington rink. Their primary mandate is to transition the project from a "grassroots movement" to a "shovels-in-the-ground reality."
Core Responsibilities
- Capital Campaign Oversight: Managing the multi-phase fundraising goal (targeting the $15M–$30M range) through private donations, corporate sponsorships, and state grants.
- Site & Asset Management: Overseeing the storage and eventual installation of the physical rink assets (boards, glass, and refrigeration plant) currently held in Georgetown.
- Strategic Partnerships: Acting as the primary liaison between the nonprofit and the Sussex County Council, the Delaware Economic Development Office, and local youth hockey/figure skating associations.
- Fiduciary Duty: Ensuring 100% transparency of donated funds, maintaining the organization’s 501(c)(3) status, and securing the long-term land lease or purchase.
The board operates under a single guiding philosophy: "Ice is a Necessity, Not a Luxury." They view the arena not just as a sports facility, but as an economic driver for Georgetown and a "third place" for Delaware youth. Their commitment is to build a facility that is debt-free and community-owned, ensuring that no local skater is ever "homeless" again.
Our Products
The heart of our facility, we believe, is a premium skating experience that starts long before you hit the ice. Our comprehensive suite of services is designed to remove the friction from your visit, starting with our Precision Blade Sharpening lab, where technicians use state-of-the-art robotic grinders to match your hollow to your specific skating style. For those looking to master the edges, our Elite Coaching Academy offers everything from "First-Step" toddler circuits to high-performance figure skating and power-skating clinics for hockey athletes. Beyond the rink, our Concierge Rental Program ensures you’re fitted with sanitized, heat-molded skates that feel like a second skin, while our bookable Event Suites provide a seamless transition from the cold ice to a warm, catered celebration. Whether you're here for a high-intensity workout or a leisurely weekend glide, our dedicated "Ice Crew" is on hand to ensure every transition—from the lobby to the center-ice logo—is effortless
Our Services
"More Than Just a Glide." Step into a winter wonderland where the air is crisp, the ice is glass, and every turn tells a story. Whether it’s your child’s first shaky steps or a moonlit date night under our neon canopy, we’ve perfected the art of the chill. Come for the skating—stay for the gourmet cocoa, the heated lounges, and the memories that won’t melt.