People gathered at the back of the Dome in Eagle River to break ground on a new girls locker room last Friday, April 18, but an additional $140,000 is needed to reach the $325,000 funding goal.
The “Friends of Eagle River Girls Hockey” committee first announced this need for a dedicated girls hockey locker room toward the end of last year. This project, led entirely by volunteers, operates independently from the Eagle River Recreation Association (ERRA) and its Board of Directors, with all funds raised exclusively allocated for this initiative.
“This project has been powered by a lot of heart,” said ERRA Secretary Abbey Gatlin. “This is a great need. This isn’t just a locker room. It shows the girls that they deserve their own space, just like the boys.”
This effort aims to provide a space for both community and visiting female hockey players to prepare for games.
“We used to get ready in spaces far too small, such as in closets or in corners,” said Bella Nowak, a Northland Pines High School junior and member of the Northland Pines Eagles hockey team. “This project is more than just a locker room and square footage; it’s more than a place to put on gear. This is for girls who still get ready in hallway corners. This is a sign of progress. It’s creating a future for girls lacing up their skates, knowing that they belong.”
While the committee has made significant progress in reaching its fundraising goal, they say they still require $140,000 in order to fully fund the project, and are reaching out to local communities for donations. Donations will directly cover critical project components, including excavation, permits, plumbing, electrical work, and finishing touches such as insulation, drywall and flooring.
Once completed, the new locker room will provide a dedicated space for female hockey players from Northland Pines, Antigo, Bessemer, Hurley, Ironwood, Lakeland, Rhinelander, Three Lakes, Wakefield-Marenisco, Norway and Wabeno.
“Girls hockey has become our passion project,” said ERRA President Kim Adamovich.
“This is so exciting. The girls appreciate it, we appreciate it — thank you for the support so far!”
An option to donate to the project includes donating through the organization’s Power Play: 100 Women, 1 Goal campaign. The campaign invites 100 women to donate $1,000 each, for a total sum of $100,000. Being a part of this initiative includes permanent recognition on a locker room plaque, recognition at the ribbon cutting ceremony during the 2025-2026 season’s first home game, an exclusive invitation to a cocktail and appetizer reception, and a fully tax-deductible donation (with an option to split payments across two years).
Donations of all sizes are also welcome by the organization. There are donation levels that include plaque recognition, which include:
Goal Diggers - $2,500
Playmakers - $5,000
Team Powerhouse - $7,500 - $10,000
Legends - $15,000 - $20,000
Game Changers - Contractors donating labor and/or materials.
All donations are securely managed in a dedicated bank account and will be used exclusively for the project.
More information about the project or donating can be found by visiting ERRA.com or emailing 100powerplay@gmail.com.
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