The Plymouth Ice Center was honored recently with the 2010 James Padgett Award. The award was presented by the Minnesota Ice Arena Managers to recognize an arena that is outstanding in management, maintenance, special events, cost savings and new ideas.

The ice arena was built with two sheets of ice in 1996. It was the result of a public-private partnership between Life Time Fitness, the Wayzata School District, the Wayzata Youth Hockey Association and the City of Plymouth. The partnership became a model for dozens of other arenas built throughout the United States.

In 2004 a third sheet of ice was added. Providence Academy joined as another partner to help fund the expansion. Now the Plymouth Ice Center hosts hundreds of hockey games and is a popular spot for recreational skating, speed skating and broomball. Its staff welcomes thousands of hockey, speed and figure skaters and fans every year.

“We are honored to receive the James Padgett award,” said Arena Manager Bill Able. “This achievement is a direct reflection on everyone who works at the Ice Center,” he added.