December 25th, 2007

Dakota Zinn, 11, thinks a skating facility could be just what the city of Lawrence needs

What’s a boy to do when he wants to play hockey in Lawrence?

He could go to Overland Park, where Kansas University’s ice hockey club plays. Or, if the weather would stay cold enough, long enough, he could play on a frozen pond.

But, if he’s like 11-year-old Dakota Zinn, he might try to get an arena built here in town.

Dakota, a sixth-grader at Langston Hughes School, envisions an ice arena where youths and adults could play ice hockey and where KU’s hockey team could play. He also would want to offer open skating hours for the community and facilities for parties. And Dakota’s adamant on one point: No alcohol allowed. He has seen fans act up at Topeka RoadRunners hockey games and he wouldn’t want to see the same at his arena.

“I’d rather be safe than have people there being crazy,” Dakota said.

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