SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah Hockey Club finished up its inaugural season in Utah two weeks ago, and owner Ryan Smith’s focus is now on growing the sport.

Last month, he made an interesting offer to cities and entrepreneurs willing to build hockey rinks all over the state.

The Smith Entertainment Group is offering to donate up to $500,000 per rink up to 20 rinks.

MORE | Smith Entertainment Group

That way, one day, some homegrown talent might be able to hit the ice at the Delta Center.

“I tell [kids], you go home, and you practice, and the more you do it, the better you’re going to skate,” Don Korth said.

Korth has been around Utah hockey for decades, long before the Hockey Club was ever an idea.

He helps kids get into hockey by giving them the equipment they need to play.

“It’s to get them in hockey, then to try to keep them,” Korth said. “It’s our theme, hockey forever, hockey ‘til you die.”

But between the skates, sticks, and pads, it’s not the easiest sport for kids to get into.

“You don’t go out to a piece of grass and kick the ball,” Korth said.

But that’s where Smith and his vision to grow the spot came in.

Last month, Smith tweeted, “Every municipality in Utah should have an ice rink” and offered up to $500,000 to cities and entrepreneurs to build them.

While covering Herriman’s plan for a new athletic complex last week, 2News asked the city if a rink would be included and if they’ve called Smith about his offer.

“We’ve made a phone call just to do our due diligence,” said city spokesman Jonathan LaFollette.

Although it’s too early to say if it’ll happen in Herriman, 2News asked other cities if they’ve made that same call.

KUTV reached out to nearly 30 Utah cities from Logan down to St. George about Smith’s offer. About half of them responded with a variety of answers.

“We have not because Ogden has a county-managed ice rink with two regulation-sized ice sheets at Weber County Sports Complex, home of the Ogden Mustangs,” said Mike McBride with Ogden.

“Riverton City has met with a developer and started the discussion. Obviously, the city will not be the owner and operator. But we are willing to work with developers and explore ideas,” said Josh Lee with Riverton.

“We haven’t really looked into it,” said Josh Urquhart with Spanish Fork.

“We have received an application for this grant and are considering options. I believe that it is due the end of May,” said Provo’s Parks and Recreation Director.

“We have not been approached, and I’m not sure where we could even put a rink, but it’s an intriguing offer. It might be something we bring to our business community. I plan to discuss it with the Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area to see if it might be something they would qualify for over at the recreation center,” said Jared Gerber with Cottonwood Heights.

“Unfortunately, Springville hasn’t considered this opportunity. We are next door to Provo with their former Olympic ice rink facilities,” said Patrick Monney with Springville.

“This information is new to us. We have not yet had any discussions or made any decisions related to Ryan Smith’s offer. We are reviewing the details and will be happy to share more if and when there are any updates,” said Erica Brown with Murray.

“We’ve got nothing planned beyond the ice sheets at The Shops of South Town, which will be the team’s practice facility and open for community skating,” said Susan Wood with Sandy.

“I haven’t heard anything on our end about it,” said David Cordero with St. George.

Marie Magers with West Jordan told 2News they have reached out to SEG, but it’s still too early to say if anything will materialize.

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