Who We Serve: A Place for Everyone
Every Age. Every Ability. Every Story. Everyone Belongs.
Where Everyone Belongs and Opportunity Knows No Boundaries.
At Beyond the Boards Foundation, we believe every person has a story, every family has a journey, and everyone deserves the opportunity to discover where they belong.
Our vision began with a family's love for hockey, but it has grown into something far greater.
We dream of creating a welcoming, year-round ice sports and community complex in North Idaho where individuals and families of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and financial circumstances can discover opportunities, develop meaningful relationships, and become part of a community that cares.
Some may come to play hockey.
Others may come to learn to skate, try something new, find encouragement, make friends, or simply enjoy being part of something meaningful.
And some may never step onto the ice at all.
Every one of them matters.
Because our mission has never been simply about building ice rinks.
It's about building opportunities, connections, confidence, and a place to belong.
Children & Youth
Where Confidence Begins and Dreams Take Shape.
Every child deserves the chance to discover something they love.
For some, that may be the excitement of scoring their first hockey goal. For others, it might be learning to balance on skates, making a new friend, or finding the courage to try something unfamiliar.
We envision opportunities where children can explore new interests, build confidence, develop friendships, and learn valuable lessons through sports, recreation, education, and mentorship.
We hope to create an environment that encourages teamwork, perseverance, kindness, responsibility, and personal growth.
And we believe those opportunities should extend to children who might otherwise be left on the sidelines because of financial or other barriers.
Every child deserves the opportunity to discover their potential.
Teenagers & Young Adults
Supporting the Journey Beyond the Game.
The teenage and young adult years are filled with important decisions, personal growth, and dreams for the future.
For athletes, these years can also bring difficult questions about what comes next.
Our founders understand the challenges that can arise when opportunities to continue participating in sports become limited, expensive, or far from home.
We hope to explore programs and partnerships that support continued athletic development, mentorship, leadership, education, and personal growth.
Our long-term vision includes opportunities for young people to remain connected to the activities and communities they love while preparing for the next chapter of life.
Whether someone continues competing, becomes a coach, volunteers, or discovers an entirely new direction, we want them to know their journey still matters.
Because opportunity shouldn't end when high school does.
Families of Every Shape & Size
Creating Memories. Strengthening Connections.
Families are at the heart of strong communities.
We envision a place where parents can watch their children discover new skills, grandparents can cheer from the stands, siblings can participate in activities together, and families can create memories that last a lifetime.
We also recognize that families face different challenges.
Busy schedules, financial pressures, transportation needs, and the demands of everyday life can make recreational opportunities difficult to access.
Our hope is to help create a community environment where families feel welcomed, supported, and connected.
A place to celebrate milestones.
A place to encourage one another.
A place where lasting friendships can begin.
Because when families are strengthened, communities grow stronger too.
Individuals with Disabilities
Ability Is Not One-Size-Fits-All. Opportunity Shouldn't Be Either.
We believe individuals with disabilities deserve meaningful opportunities to participate in recreation, sports, education, and community life.
Our vision includes exploring adaptive ice sports, such as sled hockey and adaptive skating, along with thoughtfully designed spaces that support accessibility, dignity, comfort, and independence.
We also recognize that accessibility means more than ramps, doorways, or meeting minimum building requirements.
It means listening to individuals with lived experience.
It means understanding that physical, sensory, social, and other needs can vary.
And it means creating environments where people are respected, supported, and encouraged to participate in ways that work for them.
We hope to work alongside individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, and experienced organizations to help shape future programs and facility features.
Everyone deserves the chance to participate, grow, and feel they belong.
Individuals & Families Facing Financial Barriers
Because Opportunity Shouldn't Depend on a Bank Account.
The cost of organized sports and recreational activities can place tremendous pressure on families.
Equipment, registration fees, travel, lessons, and other expenses can quickly become overwhelming.
Our founders experienced many of these challenges during their son's hockey journey, and those experiences remain an important part of why Beyond the Boards Foundation exists.
We hope to develop future scholarships, equipment assistance, and community partnerships that help reduce financial obstacles to participation.
We understand that not every barrier can be eliminated overnight.
But we believe that thoughtful programs, compassionate partnerships, and a community willing to help can make meaningful differences.
No child or adult should feel that their dreams are unworthy simply because the resources aren't there.
Potential should never be measured by financial circumstances.
Veterans, Military Families & First Responders
Honoring Service. Strengthening Community.
We are grateful for the men and women who serve our communities and country, along with the families who support them.
Military service, public safety work, and the transitions that can follow may bring unique challenges and opportunities for connection.
We hope to explore future recreational activities, family events, adaptive opportunities, and community partnerships that help veterans, military families, and first responders connect with others.
Our goal is not to replace the valuable work of organizations already serving these communities.
Instead, we hope to build relationships that complement existing efforts and create additional opportunities for recreation, encouragement, and belonging.
Those who serve others deserve a community that welcomes and supports them.
Adults & Seniors
It's Never Too Late to Discover Something New.
Opportunities for recreation, learning, friendship, and personal growth shouldn't end at a certain age.
We envision a facility where adults can explore new interests, participate in recreational sports, enjoy community activities, and build meaningful connections.
For some, that may mean joining a curling program, learning to skate, or participating in an adult hockey league.
For others, it may simply mean attending an event, enjoying time with friends, or discovering a welcoming place to gather.
We also hope to explore activities that encourage connections between generations.
Because every stage of life offers something valuable to share.
Belonging has no age limit.
Educators, Mentors & Community Leaders
Sharing Knowledge. Inspiring Possibility.
Some of the most meaningful opportunities in life begin when someone takes the time to teach, encourage, or believe in another person.
Our vision includes creating opportunities for educators, mentors, coaches, volunteers, and community leaders to share their knowledge and experience.
We hope to explore educational programs, tutoring, life-skills workshops, leadership development, and mentorship opportunities that support growth beyond sports.
Whether someone has professional expertise, life experience, or simply a willingness to encourage others, their contributions can make a lasting difference.
Sometimes the greatest opportunity we can give someone is the encouragement to believe in themselves.
Our Broader North Idaho Community
More Than a Facility. A Place to Connect.
Beyond the Boards Foundation is envisioned as a community resource, not simply a destination for athletes.
We hope to create a welcoming gathering place where people can come together for events, celebrations, educational opportunities, volunteer activities, and meaningful connections.
A place where local organizations can collaborate.
Where businesses can help strengthen their community.
Where neighbors can become friends.
Where people can share their talents, experiences, and compassion.
And where someone who has never played an ice sport can still feel completely at home.
We believe that when people have opportunities to connect, communities become stronger, more compassionate, and more resilient.
You don't have to skate to belong.
A Place Where Differences Are Respected
Welcoming People. Building Connections.
Every person who walks through the doors of our envisioned facility will bring their own experiences, abilities, beliefs, challenges, and hopes.
We want Beyond the Boards Foundation to be a place where those differences are met with dignity, kindness, and respect.
Our Christian faith inspires our commitment to service and compassion, but our vision is to welcome individuals and families from every background and belief.
We believe belonging is built through the way we treat people.
By listening.
By showing kindness.
By creating opportunities.
And by remembering that every person has value.
Everyone deserves to feel seen, respected, and welcomed.
Building a Future That Includes You
Beyond the Boards Foundation is currently in the early stages of organizational development and long-term planning.
The facility, programs, scholarships, and opportunities described on this page represent our vision for the future. They are not yet operational and will depend on funding, feasibility, partnerships, and continued development.
As we move forward, we want to listen to the people and families we hope to serve.
Your experiences matter.
Your challenges matter.
Your ideas matter.
And your hopes for our community matter.
We invite you to share your perspective, connect with our foundation, and help us better understand how we can create meaningful opportunities throughout North Idaho.
Because Everyone Has a Place in This Story
Maybe you're a parent hoping to give your child an opportunity you never had.
Maybe you're an athlete searching for a path forward.
Maybe you're someone who has felt overlooked or excluded.
Maybe you're a veteran, a grandparent, a teacher, a volunteer, or someone who simply wants to be part of a caring community.
Or maybe you're someone who believes the world becomes a little better when people choose to help one another.
Whoever you are, we hope you can see yourself in the future we're working toward.
Because Beyond the Boards Foundation isn't just about ice.
It's about people.
It's about hope.
It's about opportunity.
It's about community.
And above all, it's about belonging.
More Than Ice. A Place to Belong.
Rooted in Faith. United by Community. Building a Place to Belong.
Beyond the Boards Foundation, Inc.
You don't have to step onto the ice to have a place in our community!
