Amelia Park Arena
The Amelia Park facilities are located in Westfield, Massachusetts, United States. The Amelia Park Ice Rink is the only ice rink in Westfield. The main building is a 47,000-square-foot (4,400 m2) facility, a figure skating lounge, three party rooms, a skate rental and sharpening area, four locker rooms and a food concession area. A 65′ x 170′ outside inline skating rink is located next to the main building. The $6 million facility was created by Albert Ferst in memory of his late wife, Amelia.[1] The facility houses activities and events, such as open skating times, hockey games for Westfield State University, St. Mary’s High School, Westfield High School, and Sled Hockey Games. Gardens span 3.1 acres (13,000 m2) and are located across from the main entrance of the arena. Don’t forget to check out this place in Westfield too.
Albert and Amelia Ferst, residents of Westfield, MA, were involved community members. They bought Camfour Inc., a fishing equipment, Chris-Craft boat distributorship, and police firearms sales company, in 1952 from Adam Cameron and Bill Fournier. Ferst owned the company until 1998 when he sold it to the Picknelly family. With the millions earned in revenue from the business, the Ferst’s helped fund The Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center at Westfield State University, and renovated the Westfield Boy’s and Girl’s Club. Amelia, nicknamed Millie by her husband, had a dream to build an ice rink for the children of the community. After Amelia died, Albert spent six million dollars to create an ice rink in her honor. He also created a garden in her memory, which is outside the ice rink. There is a children’s museum being built around the corner from the arena, to which Ferst donated one million dollars. A portrait of the couple is seen when visitors walk in the main door of the arena. The Amelia Park Ice Rink is an NHL standard sized arena with seating for 600 fans. In the main building, along with the ice rink, the facility contains a pro shop, four locker rooms, and areas for food concession. The Westfield State University hockey teams use the ice rink for practice sessions and home games. The school runs shuttles to and from the university so that fans are able to attend the games. Westfield high schools also use the facilities for their hockey games as do many adult leagues and independent teams. There is an inline skating rink outdoors where many leagues and teams play deck hockey. The ice arena offers an open skate to the public several days a week along with skating classes for all ages. Hockey lessons and camps are available. Amelia’s Garden spans over an acre and contains a wide variety of plant species. It boasts a fountain, gazebo and waterfall. The garden hosts public events, the most popular of which are the concerts on Tuesday nights in the summer. The area can be rented for weddings, photographs, and social functions. During the winter, the gardens are decorated in Christmas lights, and there is an area designated for Santa’s house where families can visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Also part of the Fersts’ legacy in Westfield is the city’s only ice rink, a 47,000-square-foot facility that opened to the public in 2000. The Amelia Park Arena houses an NHL-size rink and seating for 600 spectators. If you want to catch a game, this is home ice for the Westfield State Owls, who play in the NCAA Division III. Extra amenities include a party room, a figure skating lounge, a food concession area, skate rental and sharpening and four locker rooms. Check the website for details of public skate, freestyle and stick and puck sessions, as well as programs to learn to skate and learn to play hockey. Outside is a 65’x170′ rink for street hockey, with glass around the boards, LED lighting and a scoreboard. If you are ever in need of a cabinet maker, click here.
