by Sarah Daniels
Thisweek Newspapers

The Farmington Civic Arena no longer exists.

Don't worry ñ the building is still there, children are still skating and hockey teams are still playing.

The only thing that has changed is the name.

The Farmington City Council officially changed the arena's name to the Schmitz-Maki Arena at its meeting June 6.

The name change was to honor Louie Schmitz and Al Maki, two Farmington residents who were instrumental in the birth and growth of youth ice hockey in Farmington.

"It is fitting to honor a couple of gentlemen who have made such a difference to Farmington youth,î Mayor Kevan Soderberg said.

Schmitz is credited with starting youth hockey in Farmington in the early 1950s. Maki, now deceased, became the first Farmington High School hockey coach in 1959.

Both men also have high school round-robin hockey tournaments during the winter holidays named after them ñ the Al Maki Tournament for boys and the Louie Schmitz Classic for girls.

Schmitz, 78, said he was surprised the City Council decided to name the ice arena after him.

"It's just an honor,î Schmitz said. "I don't expect it.î

A group of 10 area residents who petitioned for the name change will raise money for a new sign for the arena, Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad said.

Farmington resident Keith Kramer, one of the 10 residents who requested the name change, played under both Schmitz and Maki in the 1950s.

Kramer said he remembers Schmitz taking care of every aspect of the hockey rink, which was outdoors at the time. Kramer said he would watch Schmitz set up and dismantle the boards, maintain the ice and make sure the rink was flooded, keep the warming house toasty and ensure there was always enough equipment to go around.

"He was always out there without gloves,î Kramer said.

This must have impressed the young Kramer in 1956.

In addition to being in charge of rink and equipment maintenance, Schmitz also coached the team.

"Back then, when you're in the seventh or eighth grade, you don't realize the commitment he was making,î Kramer said. "Louie was dedicated 100 percent to getting the hockey program going.î

Schmitz seems to look back on the period when he was rink manager and coach with fondness.

"I just had a good bunch of people,î Schmitz said. "It was a pleasure all of the time. It wasn't work for me.î

Although Schmitz isn't as heavily involved in the Farmington hockey program as he was in the 1950s, he said he still follows both boys and girls youth hockey in Farmington.

"I just love kids,î Schmitz said.

Kramer said he's pleased the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Board approved the name change.

"I think it's a fantastic way to honor two gentlemen who are so deserving,î Kramer said.

To donate money toward the new Schmitz-Maki Arena sign, call Jim Cordes at (952) 997-9135. Additional money raised will go to Farmington Youth Hockey.

Sarah Daniels is at farmington.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.