About The Forge

Built by Bend. For Bend.

The Forge Community Iceplex

The story behind Central Oregon's ice headquarters

The Forge is Oregon's only dedicated year-round ice complex—and one of the Pacific Northwest's premier lifestyle ice destinations. A landmark nonprofit where championship ice meets Bend's outdoor culture.

We forge resilient humans on and off the ice. A high-stakes outlet for youth to choose excellence. A place where parents grow with their kids. The grit to win in life. The community to sustain it.

This is ice sports with Central Oregon DNA.

The Forge ice rink pro shop, ice sports demand Oregon

The Forge iceplex Bend Oregon, event space

Our Story

The Name

The name tells the story.

A forge is where raw material meets heat, pressure, and intention—and emerges transformed. Steel. Timber. Ice. The Forge is built from materials that reflect that process: Corten steel that weathers to a rich rusted patina over time, heavy timber that honors pioneering roots, and the crystalline precision of ice itself.

Like a diamond formed under pressure, excellence here is earned—not given.

The Gap

Central Oregon loves ice—and the demand has outpaced capacity for years. The Pavilion, Bend's existing seasonal ice rink, operates part-year and can't support the region's growing hunger for ice sports. Athletes at every level compete for limited ice time. Families drive hours to access quality ice.

A group of Bend's hockey community leaders recognized this gap and asked a different question: What if we built something worthy of Bend's ambition?

The Vision

Not just a rink. Not another facility. A place built by the community, for the community. Where local craft culture extends to crafting athletes. Where aspiring skaters have the ice time and resources to develop. Where the fireplace is as important as the Zamboni.

The vision was bold: raise the necessary capital through community investment alone. A nonprofit built by Bend, for Bend—designed to last generations.

The Legacy

The Forge was born from that vision: a place where mountain lodge meets championship ice and where everyone can step onto the ice.

We're not just building a facility. We're forging Central Oregon's ice sports legacy.

Meet Our Board

Derek Meyer

President & Campaign Chair

Derek is an Oregonian whose passion for community and sport runs deep. A hockey player ice the age of 12, he understands firsthand how athletics build character, connection, and lasting bonds. As the owner and operator of Hixon Mortgage, Derek brings the same drive and dedication to his role as President of the Board for The Forge. He believes that strong communities are built through shared experiences, and he is committed to creating spaces where families, athletes, and neighbors can come together to grow, compete, and thrive.

John Kromm

Secretary, Founding Board Member

John serves as Secretary for The Forge Ice Arena, bringing over 30 years of coaching experience to the board's leadership. A lifelong hockey player and Central Oregon business owner, John is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of athletes through the sport he loves. As a father and veteran coach, he is passionate about building a premier facility that fosters grit and player development in the high desert. His decades of leadership on and off the ice are essential to creating a world-class home for youth sports in our community.

Steve Elwell

Executive Director, Founding Board Member

Steve is a transformational CEO, investor, and growth strategist with over 25 years of experience building and scaling venture-backed companies across medical devices, healthcare technology, and consumer innovation. Throughout his career, Steve has raised millions in venture funding, built a global intellectual property portfolio spanning 82 patents across 65 countries, and scaled companies from startup to millions in revenue with successful exits. He brings a strategic mindset to business—combining Al-enabled strategy, data-driven decision-making, and high-impact partnerships to drive innovation, scale, and long-term shareholder value. His leadership approach is rooted in a lifelong foundation in competitive hockey, where discipline, resilience, and team-first execution were ingrained early.

Tyler Brower

Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development, Founding Board Member

Tyler is a Founding Member of The Forge Ice Arena, leading strategic partnerships, development, and key relationships that are bringing the project to life. A former NCAA and professional hockey player, he developed through the full hockey pathway, giving him a deep understanding of what athletes and families need at every stage. He is driving both the partnerships behind The Forge and the hockey operations and programming that will define it.

With a focus on structure, accountability, and long-term athlete development, Tyler is building a program with a clear pathway through every level of the game—while expanding access and creating opportunities for the Central Oregon and PNW hockey community.

Scott Lehmann

Founding Board Member

A native of San Jose, Scott Lehmann was first introduced to hockey through his hometown Sharks NHL team, sparking the passion that would shape the next three decades of his life.
Since, he has enjoyed both ice and roller hockey, creating cherished memories, and instilling his love for the sport into his three children. Scott believes hockey is the greatest sport in the world and is excited to help Central Oregon experience the same joy, excitement, and sense of community that it has brought to his life.

Julia Lehmann

Founding Board Member

Julia and her husband Scott have called Bend home since 2020, and she counts it among her greatest joys that their three married children have built their lives here as well. A dedicated community volunteer, Julia stays closely connected to the people and places that make Bend so special. With a deep love for people of all ages and a particular heart for children, she is committed to helping create an environment where everyone feels welcome at The Forge—athletes and non-athletes alike. Julia brings warmth, community roots, and a genuine investment in Bend's future to the board.

Brandon Lehmann

Founding Board Member

Follow the Journey

Want to learn more?

About The Forge

Built by Bend. For Bend.

The Forge Community Iceplex

The story behind Central Oregon's ice headquarters

Our Story

The Name

The Gap

The Vision

The Legacy

Meet Our Board

Derek Meyer

John Kromm

Steve Elwell

Tyler Brower

Scott Lehmann

Julia Lehmann

Brandon Lehmann