Arenales Summit Becomes Home to Puerto Rico's First Hockey League Thanks to Landmark Renovation Funded by Risk’s Rewards LLC

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arenales Summit, in partnership with the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association (PRIHA), today announced the launch of Liga Boricua, the island’s first-ever hockey league. This historic milestone was made possible by a comprehensive renovation of the Arenales Summit facility, funded by a leadership gift from Risk’s Rewards.

The initiative provides a powerful counter-narrative to the significant challenges facing education and community spaces in Puerto Rico. In the last decade, over 670 schools have been forced to close across the island, with 428 of those closures occurring since 2017, according to the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. This project ensures Arenales Summit is not only a vibrant center for the community but is now also a hub for a groundbreaking island-wide sports movement.

The transformation of Arenales Summit was extensive. Risk’s Rewards’ funding enabled the installation of professional-grade sport court flooring, official hockey dasher boards (92 ft x 52 ft), advanced sound systems with Bluetooth capabilities, and specialized volleyball net systems to ensure multi-sport use. Additional improvements included crucial roof repairs, fresh paint, mounted air circulation fans, and a professional scorekeeping system.

David Risk said, “We are thrilled to partner with PRIHA and Arenales Summit on this landmark project. The ultimate team sport, hockey has been part of my family’s heritage for three generations, spanning more than 80 years. Puerto Ricans have a passion for education and sports, so combining hockey with a dynamic school such as Arenales Summit is a natural fit. We hope this facility can have a lasting impact on the community for generations to come.”

Scott Vargas, President of the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association, shared his excitement for the league’s launch. “We have been active with floor and inline hockey in San Juan since 2022. It has been a challenge to find a stable location, but we have continued to grow our program. The growth is due to the genuine interest and passion for hockey here. With Risk’s Rewards’ support and dedication, we now have a permanent home here at Arenales Summit. This facility is a place where we will develop athletes from youth to the international stage - athletes that will represent Puerto Rico.”

Carmen “Santy” Cardona Rosado, Director of Arenales Summit, added, “As an innovative school focused on providing a different approach to learning, we view this as an amazing opportunity. We view Hockey as diversification - a new sport in Puerto Rico and this is exactly why we are so excited. As a team sport with a dynamic skill set that requires teamwork, communication, hand-eye coordination, strength and agility we believe this partnership fits right in with our core values at Arenales Summit. This could not be possible without the help of Risk’s Rewards. We look forward to our partnership with them and PRIHA."

Thanks to the revitalized facility, Liga Boricua is set for its inaugural season with four founding clubs, each celebrating Puerto Rican heritage: C.H. Coquí (Puerto Rican frog), C.H. Fortaleza (El Morro fortress), C.H. Gallito (honoring boxer Sixto Escobar), and C.H. Vejigante (reflecting vibrant carnival traditions). The league will use a hybrid inline hockey ruleset combining International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and World Skate regulations, laying the groundwork for the future of ice hockey on the island.

Anyone interested in registering can go to juegahockey.com for more information and access to the registration link.

About Arenales Summit

Arenales Summit is a premier community and recreational facility located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dedicated to providing a safe and enriching environment, it offers diverse programs in sports, education, and the arts to foster personal growth and community engagement for all ages.

About the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association (PRIHA)

The Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association is the official governing body for hockey in Puerto Rico. As a non-profit organization, PRIHA is dedicated to promoting and developing inline and ice hockey across the island. Through initiatives like Liga Boricua, PRIHA aims to build a sustainable hockey ecosystem, from grassroots programs to competitive leagues, for athletes of all ages.