WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — The West Des Moines City Council took the first big step toward adding a third ice rink to the Mid-American Energy Rec Plex on Grand Avenue, with the unanimous approval of a professional services agreement, Tuesday night.

With about $5 million committed so far, the city will move forward to the design phase on the addition. The new rink could hold up to 3,000 people and will be located on the east side of the current complex. While construction likely won’t begin for months, leaders say the demand is there now.

“We’re open 363 days a year,” said RecPlex General Manager Shayne Ratcliffe. “We have people on the ice at 6 a.m. skating until 11 p.m. Same as the turf — have people on at 6 a.m. going until midnight certain Friday and Saturday nights. So, it is as busy as it can get. Our biggest problem now is telling people ‘Sorry, we’re full.’”

The metro has just three rinks available for youth hockey right now. West Des Moines is seeking another $10 million in commitments before construction can begin, though city leaders predict shovels could be in the ground in late summer of 2025. Construction could be completed in late 2026.

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