Why is our rink being renamed to BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – Kalamazoo?
We are so excited to be partnering with Michigan staple BIGGBY® COFFEE to reopen the Kalamazoo Wings West as BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube - Kalamazoo ahead of the 2026-27 season. This partnership signifies an exciting step in our efforts to introduce new programs and expand youth access to ice sports. BIGGBY® COFFEE is a company deeply connected to Michigan, and their leadership knows this rink is a key cornerstone in the Kalamazoo community.
BIGGBY® COFFEE joining our team will support the restoration and revitalization efforts needed to bring this rink back to a safe, high-quality and high-performing space for people of all ages to practice and compete on the ice.
Why did Wings West close in the first place?
The Kalamazoo Wings West ice arena was forced to close its doors in September 2025 due to a refrigeration system failure. Black Bear Sports immediately saw the need for this rink to remain accessible to the community and has dedicated significant time and resources to equipment repairs and renovations so this rink can once again be a thriving local hub.
What benefits is this partnership bringing to our rink?
Our partnership with BIGGBY® COFFEE allows us to not only revitalize and re-open this beloved rink, but also expand the program offerings available to all ages of skaters, as well as continue expanding access to youth hockey through low and no-cost programs.
With Black Bear’s leadership and the support of our corporate partners, children and adults alike will be able to make BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – Kalamazoo a home away from home where people can have fun, compete on the ice, and spend time together as a community.
How is this going to change our family’s rink experience?
We believe you will find exciting new opportunities at the rink for your family. We will be introducing our Take a Shot at Hockey (TASH) program that allows first time young skates the chance to try hockey for free. We will also be allocating significant time and resources toward our Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey programming – low-cost ways for families and children to learn ice sports. We’ll also be introducing our Foundry Adult Hockey league, the country’s largest adult hockey program with over 10,000 adult players across the Midwest and Northeast. Foundry offers adults the chance to play locally, regionally and nationally if they so desire.
Are you going to increase prices?
Prices are set fairly and are competitive with other rinks in the area. BBSG was founded by hocket enthusiasts, and we are always looking to make our rinks affordable and accessible to the community.
Am I going to be required to purchase new gear?
If your child plays for our new travel program, we will provide you with your first jersey and socks for free, so there is no requirement for new gear.
Does this mean Black Bear TV is coming to this rink?
Yes, Black Bear TV is our official streaming platform that offers high-quality, secure viewing options for families. Black Bear TV treats each game like its own professional broadcast. The cameras are close to the ice, follow the play almost perfectly every time, deliver a picture that is the best in the industry. It features live stats integration, multiple accounts, an app for on-the-go viewing and the unique ability to download games, clipping and create highlights directly of the players. In addition, it uses enhanced internet connectivity to further improve broadcast quality. Despite the industry leading technology, Black Bear TV’s pricing is in line with other sports streaming platforms.
Will I see other changes at the rink?
Yes, we have made lots of renovations and repairs and will also introduce and expand programs to get kids out on the ice. We believe this will make BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube - Kalamazoo a home away from home where people can have fun, compete, and spend time together as a community. Many of the changes will be invisible except for the quality of the ice which should reflect the new mechanical equipment.
Why has BIGGBY® COFFEE partnered with so many hockey rinks in Michigan?
BIGGBY® COFFEE has been an incredible partner to us in Michigan. They are residents of Michigan too, and care deeply about the people who live here. The BIGGBY® COFFEE team knows how important these local rinks are to families and children here and is committed to ensuring we maintain and expand access to rinks and ices sports locally, and their partnership with us makes that possible. Our other partner rinks include BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – Chelsea, BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – Ann Arbor, BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – East Lansing, and BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – Brighton.
We are excited to welcome BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – Kalamazoo to the family!
