AHL August Newsletter

by Dan Dean

August AHL Newsletter – Vol. 2

Dear AHL Family,
What an exciting time for the AHL! We’ve been waiting a long time for some good news, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you.

First, for those I haven’t met yet — my name is Justin Kaiser. I’m the Youth Commissioner, coach, and a proud board member. Our new monthly board letter has been well-received, so we’re going to keep it going.

We want to give a big shout out to Jake Kopitzke for working so hard to help AHL try to find a home, working with us on every step. Thank you for working tirelessly to try to find a home for us with a roof. Good luck in your future endeavors!

Big News from the City
Many of you may have read in the Citizen Times that the city is planning to convert the lot next to the bus station on Asheland Avenue downtown into a skating and inline hockey rink — YES!

While there are still many questions about AHL’s role in the start-up, here’s what we know so far:

  • The city is accepting bids for the project now, with completion targeted for October 15th.

  • This will be a temporary skating/inline rink, modeled after the Carrier Park setup, until a more permanent home is found.

Will it be finished on time? Will we host a Fall season there? We don’t yet know — but we’re staying actively engaged in the process.

Board Involvement & Safety Concerns
Since Hurricane Helene, our board has been meeting monthly and texting almost daily to address these developments. At last month’s open meeting — which was highly productive — many of you raised excellent questions and concerns.

We’ve been in regular communication with the city, offering recommendations and rink specifications. While this is ultimately a city-run project, we are committed to voicing community concerns — especially regarding safety — and making sure our perspective is heard.

What This Means for Fall Youth & Adult Seasons
Traditionally, our Fall season starts right after Labor Day. But youth and adult registration processes differ, and timing is tricky this year since we don’t yet know when the full rink will be complete.

Parents have been reaching out, and I understand the uncertainty is frustrating — especially as other organizations began youth registration months ago. Please be assured that we are doing our best.

Good News for Ages 5–9
We will be able to restart Learn to Skate / Learn to Play Hockey for ages 5–9. We’re in the final stages of signing a lease at 99 Riverside Drive (the old Second Gear building), which has a concrete pad we’re converting into a 45’ x 80’ modular rink.

Details:

  • Half boards with mesh netting all around.

  • The owner has purchased fencing and supplies to level the surface for safety.

  • AHL will provide the sweat equity to prepare the site.

  • Temporary usage permit (in a flood zone) — we will have a 1 year lease with option to renew another year

  • No permanent fixtures allowed.

We’re starting bare-bones but with sponsors and donations will help complete the project. A talented local artist has volunteered to paint the pad’s front and sides — with the owner covering paint costs.

Beyond Youth Hockey
While the space is designed for ages 5–9 to start, we plan to welcome other skating groups too — helping bring RAD back to life and restoring opportunities for groups that have lost rink access.

We envision:

  • Skate nights with a DJ 

  • Future clinics once we can lay tile (skating, passing, shooting)

  • Skill sessions for older kids and adults until the full rink is ready.

Fall Planning for Adults & Older Youth
We’re also working on options for adults and older youth, including pickup games in Greenville. I’ll be sending a separate email to youth families to gauge interest in:

Youth

  • Traveling to Greenville for youth pickup sessions (hourly rink rental, approx. $20 per player)

  • Adding optional clinics either before or after to keep skills sharp.

Adult

  • We are currently exploring options for an abbreviated season in Greenville as we await a confirmed completion date from Asheville Parks & Recreation. If the timeline holds and the facility is completed by early to mid-October, we plan to hold a fall season in Asheville—bringing hockey back to our community.

We Need Your Voice
Your thoughts and suggestions matter. If you have questions or concerns about anything in this newsletter, please email me at justin@ashevillehockey.org.

We’re excited about the possibilities ahead and committed to building a strong future for our skating community.

See you at the rink — wherever it may be! — Justin Kaiser, Youth Commissioner, AHL