The wait is over. The land is secured, and The Forge location is confirmed in Northeast Bend. This is the milestone our supporters have followed since day one, moving Central Oregon’s first year-round ice rink from a strong vision to a real site you can point to on a map. After months of planning and community support, the site is locked in. Here is what we can share about the location, the timeline, and the road ahead.

Confirmed New Home in Northeast Bend

The Forge location sits on a seven-acre campus at 20835 and 20895 Cooley Road in Northeast Bend. The spot keeps the facility central for the whole region, within close reach of Bend, Redmond, and Prineville.

The property closed on August 5, which clears the way for everything that comes next. We share these milestones in the open because this community is what made them possible.

Why a Secured Site Changes Everything

Most community projects stall in the gap between the announcement and the shovel. Site control is where many of them fall apart. Locking in the ground clears the single biggest hurdle a project like this faces.

With the location settled, the plan stops being hypothetical. The renderings finally have a real place to stand. Every dollar raised from here builds toward a specific address, and that changes how the whole project feels. Proof beats a promise, and this is proof. It also signals something to donors and partners: a project with land under it is a project that is truly happening. That confidence tends to bring even more support, and momentum compounds from here.

What The Forge Location Means for Families

A confirmed site is good news for families across Central Oregon. The location was chosen for access, close to the neighborhoods, schools, and roads that tie the region together. A weeknight practice or a weekend public skate will finally fit into a normal schedule.

Bend keeps growing, and demand for year-round recreation grows with it. The area has expanded quickly over the past decade, according to U.S. Census data(opens in new tab). A permanent, central home for ice meets that demand where people actually live. For a region that has driven hours for consistent ice, a nearby home changes daily life. You can explore the campus that will fill the site through the facility renderings.

The Road to Groundbreaking

With the land secured, the focus shifts to design, permitting, and the path toward breaking ground. Our land use permits are now filed with the City of Bend and part of the public record, and our community fundraiser(opens in new tab) is in full swing. Families and businesses ready to shape what comes next can join the effort as founding donors. We will keep sharing each milestone as it lands.

The pace picks up from here. A secured site is the moment a community project becomes real, and supporters can expect steady news as the work moves forward. Each milestone will build on the last, so the picture keeps getting clearer. If you are wondering what happens next, our FAQ answers the questions supporters ask most.

A Real Place for a Real Project

Now that The Forge location is confirmed, the project is more real than ever. This is what a community can build when it decides to. Watch for updates as we move toward groundbreaking, and join our email list to follow every step.