Over the summer, many of us watched Chapman Hill take on a transformation. We said goodbye to the iconic 55-year-old Big Tow and look forward to welcoming a new Poma lift this winter. But have you ever stepped foot in the building at the top of the stairs or walked past the cash register after buying your lift ticket and a Zubberfizz? Were you surprised to find an ice rink full of skaters?
From novice four-year-olds to seasoned 70-plus-year-old adults, the rink brims with figure skaters and hockey players throughout the day. Every minute of Chapman ice time is accounted for, starting as early as 6:00 a.m. and ending as late as 11:00 p.m. The local youth hockey program alone occupies over 100 hours of ice time each month.
The Durango Area Youth Hockey Association, or DAYHA, was established in the early 2000s by a few young Durangoans wanting to play more hockey. The program is part of the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association, overseen and governed by USA Hockey. Today, this program serves 200 players. Starting at age four, kids can sign up for recreation-level programs or try out for competitive travel teams and, eventually, Durango High School Junior Varsity and Varsity teams.
The DAYHA’s mission is “to promote the growth of ice hockey in the Durango area and to provide the best possible experience for all the participants by encouraging, developing, advancing, and administering the sport.” For the younger players, the focus is to build skills and a love of the game. With the help of the Colorado Avalanche’s “Learn to Play” program, players ages four to nine can pay a minimal fee and receive all the necessary gear and six on-ice lessons. As the ages progress, the level of competition grows, and just like any competitive-level sport in Durango, the program requires players to travel.
As with any youth sport, the love of the game remains the focus, but there is also a goal to win championship banners and, ultimately, to qualify for State playoffs. This past season, the club earned many banners that will be displayed in the rink. The 10U-A and the 12U-A team finished second in the Colorado Competitive Youth Hockey League. The 14U team took the CCYHL champion title and added two championship and two runner-up banners this season, competing in tournaments in Utah and New Mexico.
And, of course, let’s not forget the Durango High School team won the 4A State Championship title —and only in its second season as a CHSAA-recognized team. Go Demons!
The hockey program is organized by a board of elected volunteers and overseen by Executive Director Lou Tocco, who joined the organization at the start of the 2023 season. Originally from the East Coast, Tocco was drawn to the area by his passion for hockey and love of the outdoors. After talking to the program organizers and seeing the community’s passion for the sport, he was super excited about the program.
Although hockey occupies the most ice time at Chapman Hill, hockey players can’t play hockey if they don’t know how to ice skate. The Durango Parks & Recreation Department offers an excellent learn-to-skate program. Once a skater completes the basics, they can choose the hockey track or the freestyle figure skating program. These programs have also seen increased participation, with about 51 competitive skaters. 
The Chapman Hill Ice Rink isn’t just another recreational facility; it’s a haven for aspiring young athletes, particularly those dedicated to the sport of hockey and burgeoning ice-skating program. For Durango’s ice hockey and skating programs, this rink is indispensable, serving as a vital resource that fosters growth, camaraderie, and a deep love of the ice.
