Dodge City Arena Opens

The United Wireless Arena in Dodge City is now open for business. The facility opened for the public this weekend.

The state-of-the-art event center will hold concerts and events, but that wasn’t what some people were most excited about.

“Everyone is excited to skate for the first time,” said a Dodge City resident.

An Olympic-sized skating rink has been put in.

“Well, I have never gone ice skating before,” said a resident.

The rink also brings new opportunity to Doge City: kids can now join a hockey league.

"It means a whole new horizon for Dodge City and especially for Dodge City’s kids,” said Jim Johnson with High Plains Youth Hockey Association.

Yet, as exciting as this skating rink is, it almost didn’t happen. County and city officials were wavering on whether or not to add ice to the arena. But some city leaders were willing to go quite the distance to make sure it became a reality.

“I just told him in the meeting that if he’d vote for ice, I’d promise him I’d wear a pink tutu and skate on the opening day,” said Kent Smoll, Dodge City mayor.

Mayor Smoll fulfilled his promise – pink tutu and all. And considering the smiling faces on the ice, his determination seems to have paid off.

The first concert at the arena will be free. The Little River Band will perform February 17^th.