Ralph Engelstad Arena (The Mini Ralph) (REA) is an indoor arena located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It is used primarily for ice sports, such as hockey, and was built by Jim Kobetsky of Schoen Associates based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Venue is the home arena of the Thief River Falls Norskies of the SIJHL[1] and the Lincoln High School Prowlers Hockey Programs (often referred to as the 'Thief River Falls Prowlers'). It replaced the older Huck Olson Memorial Arena which was home to the prowlers since 1970.[2]
On February 4, 2002, it was announced the Ralph Engelstad and his wife Betty, whom were living in Las Vegas, Nevada at the time, had donated $10 million which was to be used for a new multi-purpose facility in his hometown Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The project was approved in a city council meeting on February 12, 2002. Despite the donation, it was clear that additional funds would be needed for the project to come to fruition. Thus, a local fundraising campaign began in September of that year, which raised approximately an extra $3 million which was enough money to finish the project.[3]
The Arena would be officially dedicated on November 29, 2003. Though Ralph Engelstad would not live to see this. He would die of Lung Cancer on November 26, 2002 at 72 years old.[3]
In June 2005, The Construction of the Community room, or "Imperial Room" was finished. In the same year, A basketball floor and Arena decking were added.[3]
After Construction was completed, the Engelstad family would donate a further $13 million.[3]
ralph, engelstad, arena, minnesota, ralph, engelstad, arena, grand, forks, ralph, engelstad, arena, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more. For the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks ND see Ralph Engelstad Arena This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations November 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message Ralph Engelstad Arena The Mini Ralph REA is an indoor arena located in Thief River Falls Minnesota It is used primarily for ice sports such as hockey and was built by Jim Kobetsky of Schoen Associates based in Grand Forks North Dakota The Venue is the home arena of the Thief River Falls Norskies of the SIJHL 1 and the Lincoln High School Prowlers Hockey Programs often referred to as the Thief River Falls Prowlers It replaced the older Huck Olson Memorial Arena which was home to the prowlers since 1970 2 Ralph Engelstad ArenaThe Mini Ralph the REALocation525 Brooks Avenue North Thief River Falls Minnesota 56701Coordinates48 07 18 N 96 11 31 W 48 12159 N 96 19197 W 48 12159 96 19197 Coordinates 48 07 18 N 96 11 31 W 48 12159 N 96 19197 W 48 12159 96 19197OwnerCity of Thief River FallsOperatorCity of Thief River FallsCapacity3569Field size1 05 million sq ft 98 000 m2 Surface200 x 85 hockey ConstructionOpenedNovember 29 2003 19 years ago 2003 11 29 Construction cost 15 millionArchitectSchoen Associates Grand ForksTenantsThief River Falls Norskies SIJHL 2016 present Thief River Falls Prowlers Lincoln High School Contents 1 History 2 Features 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditOn February 4 2002 it was announced the Ralph Engelstad and his wife Betty whom were living in Las Vegas Nevada at the time had donated 10 million which was to be used for a new multi purpose facility in his hometown Thief River Falls Minnesota The project was approved in a city council meeting on February 12 2002 Despite the donation it was clear that additional funds would be needed for the project to come to fruition Thus a local fundraising campaign began in September of that year which raised approximately an extra 3 million which was enough money to finish the project 3 The Arena would be officially dedicated on November 29 2003 Though Ralph Engelstad would not live to see this He would die of Lung Cancer on November 26 2002 at 72 years old 3 In June 2005 The Construction of the Community room or Imperial Room was finished In the same year A basketball floor and Arena decking were added 3 After Construction was completed the Engelstad family would donate a further 13 million 3 Features Edit2 800 Theatre style seats 1 281 Bar stools along the perimeter of the bowl 1 2 concession stands 1 8 bathrooms 1 Weight Room 1 Hall of Fame section which includes a bronze statue of Ralph Engelstad from when he played high school hockey at Thief River Falls as a goaltender 3 References Edit a b c d e f Facilities www trfnorskies com Retrieved April 2 2020 Huck Olson Memorial Vintage Minnesota Hockey History Retrieved April 2 2020 a b c d e Ralph Engelstad Arena Vintage Minnesota Hockey History Retrieved April 2 2020 External links EditRalph Engelstad Arena Thief River Falls website Vintage Minnesota Hockey Ralph Engelstad Arena Thief River Falls Norskies Official Website This article about a sports venue in Minnesota is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ralph Engelstad Arena Minnesota amp oldid 1138571451, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
