Williston Commits $1 Million Annually to Ice and Turf Project
The Williston City Commission has approved a resolution reaffirming the city’s commitment to a long-discussed Ice and Turf Project, a multi-use sports and events facility that leaders say will transform recreation and entertainment options in the region.
The resolution dedicates $1 million a year from the Williams County 1% sales tax for the next decade, a tax voters extended in 2024 to support public safety, health care, and quality-of-life projects. Alongside the city’s investment, Williams County has pledged an additional $12 million.
“Projects like this are only made possible thanks to the dedication and collaboration of our community. I am incredibly thankful for the support from Williams County, the City of Williston, and especially our residents,” Barsh added. “The partnership among the City, County, and WPRD has never been stronger, and this facility is a direct result of that teamwork. Honestly, no other Park District Director in the country has a job as exciting as mine right now, and I don’t take that for granted.”
The Ice and Turf Facility will feature year-round ice for youth and adult hockey and figure skating, along with an indoor turf complex. Its multi-purpose design is expected to draw concerts, tournaments, trade shows, and other large-scale events.
City officials also committed roughly $13 million in infrastructure improvements at Williston Square to provide access to the new venue. The agreement includes the sale of up to 17 acres at a reduced rate and the dedication of the former Sloulin Field airport hangar, valued at about $4 million, to house the turf complex.
Construction is slated to begin in the summer of 2026, with completion estimated within two years.
Chad Brown, president of the Williston Basin Skating Club, credited strong partnerships for turning the idea into reality. “When this facility first got brought up, I thought it was a pipe dream," Brown said. “This is truly going to be one of those projects the City, County, and Parks and Rec came together to get what was needed done. A group of people put hours and hours into figuring out how to make it happen."
City Administrator Shawn Wenko called the resolution a once-in-a-generation investment. “This resolution solidifies that commitment, and as you will see reflected in the 2026 budget, we are all-in on making sure the infrastructure is in place to provide for a smooth construction process for this facility.
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