History

1964 — WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

The Viroqua Hockey Club was established in 1964 by a few dedicated area hockey enthusiasts. Incorporated in 1968 as the Viroqua Hockey Association Inc. the Association provided many community youth the opportunity to play ice hockey on organized teams that traveled to surrounding communities. Games and practices were for the most part played on natural outdoor ice with the exception of occasional trips to Madison or Rochester MN.

1976 — HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY BEGINS

In 1976 the Association offered support and petitioned Viroqua Area Schools for the formation of the Viroqua High School Boys Hockey Team. The High School team as well as the Associations teams played its home games at the Park Bowl in Viroqua. With the outdoor ice and the unpredictable weather conditions the home ice seasons were often limited to 1 - 2 months.

1991 — A DREAM BECOMES REALITY

Growing with the Association was the dream of someday having an indoor ice arena in Viroqua. In 1991, that dream became a reality with the construction of the Viroqua Community Arena. The Arena was built from many donations large and small from the Viroqua and surrounding communities, diligent fundraising and hundreds of hours by many volunteers. The Association received no government grants or aid.

1995–1998 — GROWING THE GAME

The addition of Association-supported girls ringette came with the building of the Arena. In 1995, the Association expanded its name to the Viroqua Area Hockey Association to extend opportunities for participation to youth throughout the surrounding communities.

The transition from ringette to girls hockey came in 1996, and the Viroqua High School Girls Hockey Team was formed in 1998.

1992–2008 — BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

The Viroqua Community Arena continued to grow and improve over the years:

1992 — Locker rooms added

1993 — Lobby and concession stand added

2001 — Nick Delap Memorial Mezzanine added

2003 — New dasher boards and refrigerant compressor

2004 — New concrete bleachers and remodeling project

2006 — Wall-to-wall rubber flooring

2008 — Vestibule project

TODAY — CARRYING IT FORWARD

More than six decades after the Viroqua Hockey Club was established, VAHA continues to build on the dedication of the families, volunteers, donors, players, coaches, and community members who came before us.

We are incredibly fortunate to call the Viroqua Community Arena home, and we share the responsibility of preserving and strengthening it for future generations of Thunder families.