KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The looming closure of Wings West ice arena is leaving local youth sports organizations and community leaders weighing how the loss will ripple through Kalamazoo’s economy.
Greenleaf Hospitality announced that the facility’s last day of operation will be Sept. 12, following what officials described as a severe failure of the ice plant. The decision forces hockey, figure skating and other groups that relied on the facility to shift elsewhere.
Discover Kalamazoo CEO Jane Ghosh noted how a post from Wings West already said that about 90% of the programming once held at Wings West will be relocated to Wings Event Center.
That includes large-scale events already on the books, such as the Michigan High School Athletic Association wrestling tournament, and other statewide competitions.
This will go on through at least the Spring of 2028. Ghosh believes that will give everyone involved time to put a plan in motion so that no one is financially impacted.
Discover Kalamazoo, the county’s convention and visitors bureau, also noted that they depend on local sports organizations such as the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association and the Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association to host major tournaments.
Therefore, having a positive plan in motion is key and at the top of everyone’s list. Ghosh says tournaments attract visitors who fill hotels, restaurants and shops — bolstering jobs and small businesses across the region.
While Wings Event Center will serve as a short-term solution, the community will begin to discuss long-term needs.
“It all starts with getting the right voices around the table,” Ghosh said. “We need to understand what the needs are, explore options, and then take it from there.”
For now, Ghosh said Discover Kalamazoo is focused on ensuring visitors continue to come to the region whether for sports, business, or leisure to help sustain the county’s restaurants, retail shops and cultural attractions.
“In the short term, this is going to be a challenge,” she said. “But I’m confident we can come together, and the future for Kalamazoo County is very bright.”