Since the mid 1970’s, it has been the dream of high school and youth hockey players in Sauk Centre to have an indoor ice sheet. The dream finally came true in January 1994 with the completion of Phase I of the Civic Arena.  The City of Sauk Centre and the Sauk Centre Youth Hockey Association joined forces to develop and construct a multipurpose facility.  Phase II of the building plan was completed in 1996.  The improvements to the Civic Arena included electrical upgrades and the installation of refrigeration equipment to ensure a quality sheet of ice for our winter skating activities.  The skating season begins in mid October and concludes in early March.  Ice activities during the winter months include:  Youth Hockey, High School Hockey, Figure Skating Club and an Adult Hockey Recreational Program.

The Sauk Centre Youth Hockey Program has five different levels of teams with kids participating in age from four to fourteen.  The players come from primarily the Sauk Centre and Melrose area.  The Prairie Centre North Stars is our local high school program.  The team consists of players from the Sauk Centre, Melrose and Long Prairie/Grey Eagle school district.

The Figure Skating Program is taught in conjunction with the United States Figure Skating Association guidelines.  Lessons are held late Sunday afternoons. Session One starts in late October and concludes before the Christmas Holiday.  Session Two begins with the start of the New-Year and concludes with the skating exhibition in early March. Students range in age from five to adult.  Classes are divided into different skill levels and lessons last for 30 minutes. The students come from eight surrounding communities. Private lessons are also available.

The Civic Arena is not equipped for summer ice use but is equipped to be used for a wide variety of other events in the non-ice season.  The Civic Arena has over 17,000 square feet of open space on the main floor for conventions and shows.  Located off of the main floor are three 550 square foot classrooms/locker rooms, available for use.  The upper mezzanine level has an additional 2,500 square feet of meeting space.  The dry floor season kicks off with the Heartland Equipment Farm Expo in mid to late March.  Some other events held at the Civic Arena in the past include:  Auctions, Garage Sales, Jose Cole Circus, Craft Shows, Private Graduation Parties, School Dances, Nigel Firearms Gun Show, Minnesota State Deer Hunters Convention, Ultimate Fighting, Ladies Night Out, Training Seminars and Sport Shows.  Dry floor activities conclude by late September.