Alex Cerri, manager of DK’s Hockey and Lacrosse Pro Shop at the Amelia Park Ice Arena in Westfield, center, arranges a new shipment of jerseys and hockey apparel. The pro shop is located in the former concession stand. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Despite being open since the year 2000, many hockey purists may find it strange to know that the Whip City’s Amelia Park Arena has never had its own functioning pro shop.
Those days are over.
DK’s Hockey and Lacrosse, an Enfield, Conn., based shop specializing in the two sports, has moved into a 330-square-foot space in the arena that has been vacated by another vendor, and the Amelia management could not be more pleased.
“We actually did a small bidding, we went through the process, and our board made a decision,” said Carole Appleton, Amelia Park’s executive director. “The previous owner – their lease was up, and we’d never had a pro shop.”
What was once a concession stand is now a fully functional shop which will offer equipment, sticks, skate sharpening services, and even Boston Bruins fan gear, which is music to the ears of the residents of this hockey-obsessed city.
“It’s been lacking,” said Appleton. “Other than West Springfield, there isn’t another shop nearby. It’s just a great opportunity to serve the community. Thirteen years without one is pretty amazing.”
Appleton is confident DK’s will be an outstanding new addition to the Amelia Park hockey scene.
“The investment is on their end. They’re making a long-term commitment,” she said. “They want to make a difference.”
The shop enjoyed a soft opening on November 1, and will operate from 2:30-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday hours running 7 a.m. -1 p.m. with extended hours for special events.
