Wexford County will stop funding its ice rink and civic arena, known as the Wex, at the end of April. Now, a group of hockey enthusiasts hopes to keep it open by replacing paid employees with volunteers.
Last year, the county paid $100,000 to cover its red ink, but says it can no longer afford that.
Boon Sports Management, a non-profit affiliated with school and club hockey leagues, believes it can save the Wex enough money to keep it open.
Members have offered to operate and maintain the Wex if that's what it takes to keep it open, says Mike Figliomeni, a spokesman for the group.
"We would not have made the proposal if I didn't know that we had attorneys, accountants, businesspeople, tradespeople that have said they will volunteer their skills," he says. "The idea being that off the top, we can save operating expenses through these volunteers."
The county hopes to determine the future of the Wex before May.
Until then, it will continue to be run by a private management firm from a Detroit-area office.