A 48 year history of Success

The YWCA Ice Chalet holds a special place in the heart of Walla Walla. Until its closure in 2014, it was the only ice rink in the world owned by a YWCA. Built in 1965 through the generosity of Eugene Tausick, the Ice Chalet provided nearly 50 years of cherished memories—where families gathered, children learned to skate, hockey teams battled it out, and the community came together.

A plaque bearing Eugene Tausick’s name and the year 1965 still hangs just inside the doors of what was once our valley’s one and only rink—a quiet reminder of the legacy that inspired so much joy for so many.

Sadly, the Ice Chalet closed its doors due to costly legal updates required for the ice refrigerant system. For nearly a decade, Walla Walla has missed the laughter echoing across the ice and the warmth of a community bonded by shared experiences.

Now, we dream of reigniting that spark. Our vision is to bring back ice sports to the Walla Walla Valley while creating a modern, state-of-the-art facility that welcomes families to enjoy not just skating, but a wide range of sports and activities. This is about more than building a rink—it’s about restoring a piece of our community’s history and creating a space for new memories to be made for generations to come.

Join us in honoring the past while building an exciting future for Walla Walla. Together, we can bring the magic of ice sports—and so much more—back to our valley!