Beyond the Ice: Our Story, Our Heart, Our Purpose
Rooted in Faith. United by Community. Building a Place to Belong.
Welcome to Beyond the Boards Foundation
More Than Ice. A Place to Belong.
At Beyond the Boards Foundation, we believe that everyone deserves a place where they feel welcomed, valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
We are a North Idaho nonprofit organization founded on faith, compassion, community, and a deeply personal understanding of how sports can change lives.
Our vision is to create a welcoming, year-round, multi-rink ice sports and community complex where individuals and families of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and financial circumstances can discover opportunities, build meaningful connections, and find a place to belong.
But our story didn't begin with a building.
It began with a family, a young boy who loved hockey, and a journey that changed the way we saw the world.
Our Story: The Inspiration Behind the Dream
Beyond the Boards Foundation was founded by husband-and-wife team Kim and Shamus Mease, whose inspiration came from their family's journey through youth hockey.
For years, our lives revolved around practices, games, tournaments, early mornings, late nights, and countless miles traveled in support of our son's passion for the game.
We witnessed firsthand the incredible impact hockey had on his life. It taught perseverance, teamwork, discipline, resilience, and the importance of believing in something bigger than yourself.
We also experienced the other side of youth sports.
The financial sacrifices. The rising costs. The limited opportunities. The difficult decisions families face when trying to help their children pursue something they love.
As our son grew older, opportunities became increasingly limited, eventually taking him away from home to continue pursuing his hockey dreams.
Through those experiences, we began asking ourselves some important questions.
What if more opportunities existed right here in North Idaho?
What if financial circumstances didn't determine whether someone could participate?
What if children, adults, individuals with disabilities, military families, and people who had never stepped onto the ice could all find opportunities to learn, grow, and connect?
And what if we could create something that extended far beyond sports?
Those questions planted the seeds of Beyond the Boards Foundation.
Our Mission: Where Everyone Belongs and Opportunity Knows No Boundaries
Our mission is to help create a welcoming community where everyone has a place to belong and opportunities to grow.
Through accessible ice sports, educational programs, scholarships, adaptive opportunities, and meaningful community partnerships, we seek to remove financial, physical, and social barriers that prevent individuals and families from participating.
We believe opportunities should not be limited by someone's income, age, ability, or circumstances.
We want to help build character, strengthen families, encourage personal growth, and create lasting connections throughout North Idaho—both on and off the ice.
Our Vision: More Than Ice. A Place to Belong.
Our long-term vision is to develop a year-round, multi-rink ice sports and community complex that becomes a gathering place for North Idaho.
We envision a facility that offers opportunities for hockey, figure skating, recreational skating, curling, adaptive ice sports, and programs for beginners through experienced athletes.
But the vision extends beyond the rinks.
We dream of classrooms, educational opportunities, mentorship programs, off-ice training spaces, scholarships, community gathering areas, and resources that support individuals and families throughout their lives.
A place where a child can discover a new passion.
Where an athlete can continue pursuing a dream without having to leave their community.
Where someone with a disability can participate with dignity and confidence.
Where families can create memories, friendships can grow, and everyone feels they belong.
We aren't simply working toward building an ice facility. We're working toward building a stronger community.
Guided by Faith. Welcoming to Everyone.
Our foundation is rooted in our Christian faith and the belief that we are called to serve others with compassion, humility, integrity, and love.
One of the verses guiding our journey is:
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
We don't know every step that lies ahead, but we believe that meaningful change begins with faith, a willingness to serve, and the courage to take the first step.
While faith inspires our purpose, our doors and our hearts are open to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or background.
Because belonging should never come with conditions.
Building the Future Together
Beyond the Boards Foundation is still in the early stages of bringing this vision to life.
We have established our nonprofit organization in Idaho and are working through the steps necessary to grow our foundation, build community partnerships, develop our plans, and pursue federal tax-exempt recognition.
We know this dream is bigger than any one person or family.
It will take volunteers, businesses, community leaders, supporters, and individuals who believe that everyone deserves an opportunity.
Whether you have a passion for ice sports, a heart for helping others, or simply believe in strengthening our community, there is a place for you in this journey.
Together, we can build something that lasts for generations.
Join Us on This Journey
Every great community begins with people who care enough to make a difference.
We invite you to follow our progress, share our vision, explore partnership opportunities, volunteer your time, or simply help spread the word.
Because the future of Beyond the Boards Foundation isn't just about what we hope to build.
It's about the lives we hope to touch, the barriers we hope to remove, and the community we hope to bring together.
More Than Ice. A Place to Belong.
Beyond the Boards Foundation, Inc.
North Idaho
beyondtheboardsfoundation.org
