KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A popular indoor ice rink that shut down about a month ago, leaving uncertainty for ice sports in Kalamazoo, is coming back online.
Black Bear Sports Group announced Tuesday they would officially be taking over operations of Wings West, planning to reopen it ahead of the 2026–27 season.
The national company owns and operates more than 40 ice arenas across the country.
Wings West, previously operated by Stadium Management Corporation (SMC), shut down on Sept. 12 after a failure at the ice plant, the company said.
The closure forced many teams like the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association (KOHA) to move programming to the Wings Event Center.
However, the Wings Event Center is closing in 2028, according to owners, Greenleaf Hospitality Group.
The one-two combo severely limited facilities for ice sports, and caused concerns among many in the community.
But, Black Bear Sports Group said in a release Tuesday:
“The transition ensures hundreds of local athletes and families will have continued access to the ice, with repairs and upgrades underway ahead of a reopening for the 2026–27 season.”
The announcement was met by applause from local ice organizations.
“This news represents a positive step toward preserving local ice availability,” said The Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association.
“The South Central High School Hockey League (SCHSHL) is excited that Wings West has been purchased by the Black Bear Sports Group and we look forward to working with them,” said Frank Noonan, League Commissioner of SCHSHL.
“The high school league is a non-profit 501(c3) with a rich history since 1975 and new ownership of Wings West will allow us to continue with no interruption in our games and specialty events.”
Black Bear Sports Group specializes in preserving ice arenas that serve as community cornerstones, stepping in where mechanical failures or economic challenges threaten program continuity.
“Wings West has long been a vibrant hub for the local ice sports community,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “We’re proud to protect that legacy while making the investments needed to strengthen its future. Our goal is to make sure every skater, coach, and fan in Kalamazoo has a high-quality place to call home.”
In addition to restoring operations, Black Bear has plans to support Wings West with full integration of its growth of the game initiatives, programs, leagues, tournaments, player ascension, events, online uniform and apparel stores.
The ice facility will also be connected to Black Bear TV, the company’s dedicated streaming platform.
“SMC is thrilled to see Wings West in the capable hands of Black Bear Sports Group, who are known for delivering top-tier experiences for athletes and fans alike,” said Brad VandenBerg, managing director of Stadium Management Corporation.
“It has been our pleasure serving the ice sports community in Kalamazoo over the years, and we’re excited to see the ice facility’s next chapter unfold.”
In addition to the sale, ice sports organizations and businesses are partnering with Discover Kalamazoo to conduct a feasibility study to gain insights as they strategize for the future.
“Discover Kalamazoo is proud to collaborate with our local ice user groups to assess the future ice needs and capacity in Kalamazoo County” said Jane Ghosh, President & CEO of Discover Kalamazoo.
“Even with the anticipated reopening of Wings West, we recognize the importance of understanding long-term facility requirements to support hockey, figure skating, curling, and other local recreational users and stakeholders.”