Between the wedge of townlines of St. Joseph and Stevensville at the corner of Cleveland and Glenlord, a large pole barn type building took shape in 2016. No matter what time of year, it’s always cold inside.
The Garden Ice Arena was started by AJ Glowacki and his wife Becky with the intention of providing yet another hockey or skating arena for the area, while also turning the art of coaching hockey for AJ into a full time, paid job.
“This rink is a place our community can be built around,” AJ states on his website. “We want to be one more place area children and adults can go for a positive, encouraging, and fun atmosphere. Hockey has had a positive influence on me and I want hockey and other on-ice activities to have a positive influence on the community.”
More than a few people have taken notice of AJ and his family’s commitments to growing hockey and love of the ice in Southwest Michigan. The May/June 2019 edition of Rink Magazine produced a full page profile on what the Glowacki family has built in more ways than one. You can read the profile by clicking here.
AJ tells us, “It was great to be recognized by Rink Magazine. The success we have had so far is due to the hard work of so many, from the people who helped us during construction to others who help with our hockey and figure skating programs.”
One of seven children, AJ states on his website that hockey has always been a part of his life. He credits the many youth organizations for creating a base of interest in hockey programs in the area. Now, he and his team hope to grow help grow those leagues even further with the help of their year-round facility.
But, if you need to start with the basics, AJ has you covered there too.
“Our summer learn-to-skate and hockey programs have a few weeks left. A new learn-to-skate and hockey session begins in September,” he tells us. “We have learn-to-skate classes for toddlers through adults.”
In fact, their website, thegardenicearena.com, has a lot of information and easy sign-up details ready to go now for those looking to get learning, or perhaps even sign up for a league. And yes, adult leagues are forming all the time. You can see info and more frequently asked questions about involvement here.
The Garden is also a lot of fun for private parties too, but they won’t set you on the ice without education. AJ hopes his patrons learn something so they can grow their experience and want to come back, or participate more. If you’re interested in a small group or private lesson, check that out here.
There’s also instruction for figure skating, synchronized skating, goalie clinics, and a multitude of other programs being launched all the time. In fact, if you have a suggestion, you can always reach out to AJ and the team to suggest it. They’re all hanging out at 1626 W. Glenlord Road in Stevensville, at (269) 408-8295 and on Facebook.
The cover photo used in this article is from Rink Magazine; a full sized version of this cover is below:
