Delbert & Belva Hansen Foundation - Eccles Ice Arena
The Purpose of the Delbert & Belva Hansen Charitable Support Foundation is to provide economic support to the Bridgerland Community Ice Arena located in North Logan, Utah.
These funds are used to sustain operating costs, as well as give the ice arena freedom to expand their programs and outreach to those in Cache Valley, ultimately bringing the community closer together by providing educational, athletic, and wholesome recreational opportunities for citizens who use the facilities.
A Love of Ice Skating
Delbert and Belva Hansen have always been big supporters of ice skating. As a young boy, Delbert would frequently go ice skating on Redmond Lake. Once he had a family of his own, it became an annual tradition to flood the front yard in Randolph to create an ice skating rink for the family. Ice skating was a primary recreation in the family for years. The locations would vary from the Logan ice rink, front yards, and various canals and lakes. Dell Loy Hansen said, “Ice skating is something that my parents took a great deal of pride in”. When Janet Borg presented the opportunity to support an indoor ice arena in Cache Valley, the family decided it was a good fit. Dell Loy said, “It seemed natural that a generation that didn’t know the fun of ice skating could have that opportunity here in Cache Valley. So we were excited to put that in both my mother and father’s name, who so fully supported us and our ice skating endeavors.”
Building a Vision
Janet Borg had a desire to bring high-end ice skating to Cache Valley. Many winters didn’t provide the temperature needed to support extended ice skating opportunities, especially for the different types of ice skating practiced in Cache Valley. Janet and many others worked diligently to overcome the mountain of opposition that arose to protest the project. After being approached to donate to the building fund, Dell Loy explained that the greatest obstacle would come once the building was actually built, securing operating capital to sustain the program over time.
What started as a vision, became a world-class facility to fill a need that many in the valley hadn’t realized existed. Some of the first beneficiaries of the ice arena were competing Olympians in 2002. Once the facility was complete, Dell Loy saw the need for capital to sustain operations. The family was able to make an original donation of $500,385 of stock in Aspen Park Apartments in 2001. This donation produced roughly $50,000 annually for the ice arena. Another donation was made in 2006 of $227,500 in River Oaks Apartments, which increased the annual distribution to $75,000. In 2009, $40,000 of stock in Remington-Brighton Premier was also donated, increasing the annual distribution to $80,000. As of 2024, the annual distributions have grown to $185,000. These funds have become vital to the ice arena, helping them not only sustain the building and programs currently running but to continually improve and add services.
Distributions from the Delbert & Belva Hansen Charitable Support Foundation have been used in many ways, including the Hot Chocolate Club, Learn to Skate program, School Outreach program, camps, clinics, Spice on Ice, and specific projects such as the energy savings project, parking lot, pavilion, additional lawn and landscaping, purchasing new skates, purchase of a floor to cover the ice for non-skating events, new tables and chairs, new compressor, and many other projects.
Floyd Naegle, Executive Director of the Eccles Ice Arena said, “Dell Loy Hansen had the foresight to not restrict the money that was given through the Delbert & Belva Hansen Support Foundation. Most foundations have specific requirements and uses for the money, but Dell Loy knows that doesn’t pay the bills.” Continuing on, Floyd said, “One great thing we have been able to do with these funds is leverage different projects and fundraising, and that’s because there are no restrictions, which has turned out to be a great help.” The ice arena has been able to make every donation count to the fullest extent possible. With very little income, they have been able to have maximized results. As Floyd is known for saying, “It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
Delbert took a great interest in the ice arena and was very proud to support it during his lifetime. Belva, since Delbert’s passing, took a keen interest in the ice arena as well. Belva and Janet developed a deep friendship and Belva maintained a strong presence at the ice arena. She showed her support wherever she could, attending annual charity auctions, dinners, Spice on Ice, Founders Day events, Phase II events, and many board meetings. She was always there for whatever the ice arena needed until her passing. The Hansen family sees this as a very important community enterprise, and they look forward to being benefactors for many years to come.
“The only wealth which you will keep forever is the wealth you have given away.”
The Foundation is run by a Board of Trustees
2024 Board Members:
Floyd Naegle
Steve Larsen
David Kooyman
Max Longhurst
Ryan Lindsey
Frank Coppin
As of 2024, the foundation has an asset value of $3.07 million. Those assets earn over $100,000 per year.
Since inception of the foundation over $2.2 million has been given. Less than one half of a percent of foundation income is consumed by administrative expenses.
Annual Distributions Donated
“Thank you for making such a wonderful mark on our community. Your generosity and commitment with both your precious time, as well as the economic resources you have given, will continue to bless others for generations to come. You have made an impact on thousands of youth and adults alike, and have kept the art of ice skating alive in Cache Valley. Thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do for all of us. You will never know how much we truly appreciate it. Thank you!
”
Spice On Ice
“The Eccles Ice Center has brought millions of dollars into the local economy while promoting health and wellness. The admissions and program fees only cover about 60% of our annual expenses. We keep our costs at a reasonable rate so lower-income families can participate. The remainder of our funds must be raised through grants and fundraising events.
“One of the largest annual fundraising events has been Spice on Ice. This event was a high-end Who’s Who among esteemed community and political leaders along with regular skating patrons and other interested valley residents. Each year the funds raised by Spice on Ice played a vital role in the success and continuation of the Ice Center community programs, providing the youth and families of Cache Valley with wholesome educational and recreational activities. The Spice on Ice fundraiser was a sophisticated dinner which also included a live and silent auction. Six to eight of the top restaurants donated their time, talent, and ingredients for entrees which are served to each guest. Each guest voted for their favorite dish. The restaurant receiving the most votes obtained the coveted Cache Valley Peoples Choice Award. Another six to eight restaurants provided appetizers; which made the event a huge culinary success. Many businesses donated unique items for a live and silent auction which also raised money for the Ice Center. The event began in 2004 and ended in 2019. Approximately 125 guests attended the first time. It grew to an annual sold-out event of around 400 guests and was held on the ice center’s temporary floor, which covers the ice. A live band could be found performing in the background and businesses were given the opportunity to network with one another. The proceeds from the event were used during the summer months while program revenue was reduced.”
-Floyd C. Naegle
The Ice Arena attracts over 70,000 participants to its programs and events annually. Currently, nine community skating organizations are based at the Ice Arena including: Utah State University Hockey, Cache Valley Figure Skating Club, Utah High School Hockey Association, Cache Valley Amateur Hockey Association-Youth league, Sky Canyon High School Hockey, Cache Valley WILD High School Hockey, Women’s Freeze Hockey, Cache Valley Stone Society, and Utah State University Figure Skating Club.
The Ice Arena offers a daily ice sports physical education class in partnership with Green Canyon High School. Five Accredited USU Ice Sports classes are held at the Eccles Ice Center. They have hosted various world-class ice camps and clinics featuring professional coaches and athletes over the years.
Additionally, the Ice Arena serves as an exhibition center for non-ice events such as the Home & Garden Show, Mixed Martial Arts, USA Wrestling, FFA Conventions, and even a Circus.
Hockey
Hockey has been a big part of the Ice Arena. Youth camps have been an exciting summertime activity. Hockey Instructors have constructed many hours dedicated to young hockey players in the Cache Valley area. During these camps, young men and women are encouraged to work on hockey skills, on and off the ice. Each day the ice center welcomes these young promising hockey players; encouraging them to work hard, teaching goal setting, and creating an atmosphere of hard work and fun. Followed by a healthy lunch that the center provides, making this program a favorite for everyone. There is also a Adult Recreational Leauge with 450 active skaters supporting 24 teams across 4 leagues. The Ice Center has also been a host venue for multiple regional collegiate hockey events.
Learn to Skate
Learn-to-Skate is a program that allows children and adults to have the opportunity to be coached by qualified instructors starting from the basics of figure skating, with our Snow Plow Sam class, and continuing up to an intermediate freestyle class. Each class allows for a thirty-minute instruction and a 30-minute practice. At the end of each session, each patron is tested to see if they will move to the next level. It gives a person the opportunity to learn the sport of figure skating and hockey, allowing a person to continually work on skills; and encouraged to achieve new goals with each session. They are happening all the time, during the winter months classes are completely full. Learn-to-Skate has become very popular over the 22 years the center has been open. Enrollment averages 600 students annually.
Public Skating sessions are held multiple times a week, providing opportunities for families, church groups, local businesses, and birthday parties to enjoy skating. The Hot Chocolate Club has over 1,500 participants each year.
School Outreach
The School Outreach Program has been a great asset. It covers three counties and reaches an average of over 2,000 students annually. Allowing children from the ages of pre-school to high school to experience the world of ice skating for free. Some children for the first time are introduced to the inside, Olympic-sized rink, eyes wide with excitement as coaches teach them to tie skates correctly. Once the children are on the ice they are taught by qualified instructors basic skills and are encouraged to venture out on the ice on their own, giving them confidence in learning a new sport. The Ice Arena has been honored with this outstanding program for 22 years, in that time the center has reached over 50,000 children who may have never had the opportunity to skate on an Olympic-sized rink. They are confident that they will be able to continue this program for years to come.
COVID Sustainability
Because of the support from the Foundation, the Ice Arena had mild negative impacts when forced to shut down because of COVID. They were able to finish several capital projects for the facility and remain financially stable. Dell Loy offered support if they needed more financial assistance. In 2021, they had a very successful year, largely in part to the support of the Foundation. They were able to hold wrestling events that included participants from 20 different states around the country. Because Dell Loy has set an example of giving, others have also given matching donations.
All these programs are supported by the generous donations from the Delbert & Belva Hansen Charitable Support Foundation.
“Thank you for making such a wonderful mark on our community. Your generosity and commitment with both your precious time, as well as the economic resources you have given, will continue to bless others for generations to come. You have made an impact on thousands of youth and adults alike, and have kept the art of ice skating alive in Cache Valley. You will never know how much we truly appreciate it.” - George S Eccles Ice Center Administration
“The Delbert and Belva Hansen Charitable Support Foundation has allowed the ice center to establish healthier and higher quality programs. These opportunities have touched the lives of thousands in our communities.” - Steve Larson, BCIA President
“Dell Loy Hansen has always been a tremendous supporter of the George S. Eccles Ice Center. The Delbert and Belva Hansen Charitable Support Foundation, which he established, has been the ice center’s biggest contributor. Unlike many foundations that impose specific restrictions on their funding for a specific program or cause, Dell Loy had the foresight to provide unrestricted support through the Hansen foundation. This has allowed us to leverage additional donations, address numerous capital needs, and help cover general operating expenses. The awarded money from this foundation is the gift that keeps on giving.” - Floyd C Naegle, Executive Director
