About Us

Cape Community Arena Group is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2021 with a mission to plan, build, and donate a four-season, multi-purpose covered arena for year-round, multi-generational activities to the Town of Cape Elizabeth for the primary benefit of Cape Elizabeth residents.

CCAG intends to provide a space for safe, healthy, family-oriented experiences year-round in our community, including skating related activities in the winter.

What We Initially Accomplished: A Backyard Rink Behind Town Hall

In the winter of 2020-2021, a group of residents approached Cape Elizabeth’s Town Manager about installing a community-scale unrefrigerated ice rink. In partnership with the Town, Town Hall was selected as the rink location. The same group of residents then formed a nonprofit organization, Cape Community Arena Group (formerly known as Cape Community Ice Rink which was renamed to reflect the broader vision of the project), and filed for 501c3 status to raise money, install, and maintain the rink (Phase 1) with support of Cape Fire and Public Works. At the end of the season, the project was donated to the Town.

 

 

Public feedback was that the project achieved its goal of providing Cape a community resource that allowed residents to recreate and socialize outside during winter months, especially needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For winter 2021-22, CCAG helped the Town install the backyard-style rink behind Town Hall with improvements from winter 2020-21, including leveling and better site preparation as well as upgrades to the bench area and surrounding location.

What We're Working On Now: Temporary Ice Rink at Gull Crest

Since Spring 2021, CCAG has been working towards its ultimate goal to plan, build, and donate a four-season, open-air, multi-purpose covered arena for year-round, multi-generational activities to the Town of Cape Elizabeth. CCAG then worked with the Cape Elizabeth Town Council to develop a mutually agreed upon path forward, which included a pilot ice rink near the recommended permanent site at Gull Crest. In August 2022, CCAG received Planning Board Approval for the temporary ice rink and in September 2022, the Town Council approved moving ahead with the temporary ice rink for a 2 year pilot period.

Our inaugural season ran January – March 2023, with 430+ hours of ice time, including 270+ hours of open skate for the community, thanks to our 100+ volunteers.  We are proud to have had 150+ Cape Elizabeth youth registered in programs at the rink during that time.

During ’23-’24 season, CCAG met the goal of extended operations, December – March, and offered 650+ hrs of total ice time, 350+ hrs of open skate, 220+ hrs of hockey for all ages & abilities, 100+ pond hockey matches during tournaments and 40+ hrs of skating lessons. More than 225 individuals & families financially contributed to operate the rink, 34 businesses contributed through advertising & other donations, and over 100 volunteers donated their time and labor in many different ways to make the season a reality.
The Complete Vision: a Four-season, Open-air, Multi-purpose Covered Arena

CCAG remains focused on our ultimate goal to plan, build, and donate a four-season, open-air, multi-purpose covered arena for year-round, multi-generational activities to the Town of Cape Elizabeth.

We recently unveiled our next phase conceptual design donated by Waterhouse Builders. The scope of this phase would be to put down a permanent concrete base covered by a roof and build an amenities building with bathrooms, locker rooms, concession stand and viewing area. We are excited to try to make this a reality in the next 1-2 years.