YMCA and Blue Jackets Foundation Unveil First Outdoor Street Hockey Rink.

YMCA of Central Ohio and Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Celebrate Opening of Outdoor Street Hockey Rink at Liberty Township/Powell YMCA

Sep 9, 2025

Ribbon-cutting and CBJ-led Get Out & Learn clinic give 60+ kids their first hockey experience.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The YMCA of Central Ohio and the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation officially cut the ribbon on a brand-new, state-of-the-art outdoor Street Hockey Rink at the Liberty Township/Powell YMCA. The ADA-accessible facility marks the first of its kind at any YMCA in Central Ohio, expanding access to hockey, play and community recreation for families in the region.
 

( Tony Collins, Savannah Garside, State Representative Brian Lorenz, CBJ Forward Cole Sillinger, CBJ Alum Andrew Cassels, Cathy Lyttle, Liberty Township: Board of Trustees - Shyra Eichhorn, Bryan Newell & Scott Donaldson; Fiscal Officer Rick Karr & Administrator Cathy Buehrer, City of Powell: Powell Mayor Tom Counts, City Manager Andy White & Heather Karr and Stinger.)

Following the ceremony, more than 60 local kids participated in the Blue Jackets’ free Get Out & Learn clinic, where kids ages 5–12 received their very first hockey stick, ball and t-shirt to keep, thanks to support from Apex Pros. The program introduces children to the sport at no cost, lowering barriers of entry and giving them the chance to experience the excitement of hockey for the first time.

The new rink features durable boards, a high-quality playing surface and programming designed to introduce and develop hockey skills in young athletes. In addition to youth clinics, the rink will host YMCA events, community activities and support physical education opportunities for surrounding schools, including those in the Olentangy School District and Delaware County.

“An investment in the Y is an investment in the community of Central Ohio,” said Tony Collins, President & CEO of the YMCA of Central Ohio. “On its first day, this new street hockey rink is already a space where kids are building confidence, learning teamwork and developing lifelong skills. We’re proud to partner with the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation to ensure that every child in Liberty Township and Powell has access to the benefits of sports and healthy living.”

The Blue Jackets Foundation and the NHL invested $250,000 into the construction of the rink, a legacy project from the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series™. The Foundation continues to provide hockey programming support, staff training, equipment and curriculum resources to encourage physical activity, literacy, STEM learning and overall youth development.

 

“We are incredibly proud to partner with the YMCA of Central Ohio to bring this new street hockey rink to the Liberty Township and Powell communities,” said Cathy Lyttle, Chair of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation. “This project is more than just a place to play. It’s a meaningful investment in the health, wellness and future of our youth. By expanding access to hockey and creating a space where kids can be active, learn teamwork and build confidence, we are strengthening our community. Together with the YMCA, we are making a lasting impact and helping grow the game for everyone.”

The Liberty Township/Powell YMCA serves nearly 10,500 people. With the addition of the new outdoor rink, the Y and the Blue Jackets are deepening their impact in one of Central Ohio’s fastest-growing communities.

About the YMCA of Central Ohio

For 170+ years, the YMCA of Central Ohio has served as the heartbeat of the community. The YMCA of Central Ohio envisions strong communities where all people reach their full potential. The organization is dedicated to programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Serving over 116,000 individuals across Central Ohio – and over 11,000 at the Liberty Twp/Powell YMCA – the YMCA provides a holistic and wide range of services, including housing support, childcare, fitness programs and more, serving five generations daily. To learn more about the Y’s efforts in nurturing the full potential of all youth, please visit:

https://ymcacolumbus.org/youth-development.

About the Blue Jackets Foundation

As the charitable arm of the National Hockey League club, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation leverages its unique resources – players, coaches, staff and fans – to partner with and invest in local charities to support the health and wellness of children in central Ohio. Since the team’s inception in 2000, the Foundation has invested more than $15 million to our community in the areas of pediatric cancer, education, health and safety and the growth and development of youth hockey. For more information, visit www.BlueJackets.com/foundation.