November 26, 2023
The former IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids, Minn., was renamed Yanmar Arena on Nov. 1, 2023. Photo courtesy of Yanmar Compact Equipment North America.
Yanmar Compact Equipment (CE) North America, Grand Rapids, Minn., encompassing the Yanmar Compact Equipment and ASV brands, has entered into a partnership with the city of Grand Rapids to secure naming rights of the former IRA Civic Center. Starting Nov. 1, 2023, the facility was renamed Yanmar Arena.
With more than 200,000 visitors per year, the newly-christened Yanmar Arena is a venue for ice hockey, figure skating and community events held throughout the year. An official grand opening and ribbon cutting was held before the start of the Grand Rapids High School boys’ hockey game against Hibbing, Minn., on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
“The renaming of the IRA Civic Center to Yanmar Arena illustrates Yanmar’s commitment to Grand Rapids and the surrounding area by helping make athletic opportunities more accessible to the generations of athletes,” said Tate Johnson, CEO and president of Yanmar CE North America. “This was an excellent opportunity for us to give back in a meaningful way and we are honored to partner with the city of Grand Rapids in this endeavor.”
According to city officials, the 10-year agreement will lower the cost of ice time by approximately $40 per hour for all parties that utilize Yanmar Arena, enabling thousands of people to enjoy greater accessibility to ice skating. Yanmar said it hopes this will support the next generation of young athletes.
“This collaboration will enhance our local sports scene and open doors for athletes of all ages and backgrounds,” said Dale Christy, mayor of Grand Rapids. “We are immensely grateful for Yanmar’s commitment to the Grand Rapids community and their genuine support for the growth and well-being of our residents.”
Yanmar CE North America also provided the city of Grand Rapids with a new TL100VS, the debut machine in its new line of compact track loaders, which will be used for snow removal and maintenance at the facility.
The company said that once new signage throughout the building is installed, it plans to acknowledge the venue’s history that dates to 1962 when the Itasca Recreation Association (IRA) was formed with the expressed aim of raising funds to construct an indoor ice facility in Grand Rapids.
Earlier this year, Yanmar CE North America announced a 32,000-sq.-ft. expansion to its factory in Grand Rapids where the company will manufacture compact track loaders for both its Yanmar and ASV brands. The company also announced the addition of hundreds of jobs in Grand Rapids over the coming years.
