Our history is rooted in the establishment of Bernick’s Arena on Pinecone Regional Park. Following years of fundraising and 7 months of construction, Bernick’s Arena was opened in November of 2002 after years of fundraising and 7 months of construction. The facility cost $2.4 million to construct, and hundreds of volunteers putting in close to 3000 hours of work to complete. The grand opening on Monday, November 10, 2003, drew 500 people into the arena and featured then Governor Tim Pawlenty. The Governor praised the efforts of the SYRC and the Sartell Youth Hockey Association in building the facility and commended the community’s support.

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), SYRC continues to own and operate Scheel’s Athletic Complex, and is comprised of five board members including Jeff Rislov, Boo Statsick, Matt Dankers, Ryan Fitzthum, Brian Zimny "President". The arena is staffed by Todd Minkel-Facilities Manager, Ryan Wall-Assistant Facilities Manager and Ryan Mohr-Assistant Facilities Manager.

For the past 20 years, SYRC has demonstrated fiscally sound operations. With an annual budget of $675,000, we have negotiated debt while investing in arena improvements including: new Zamboni, concession upgrades, new refrigerant (federally mandated), dehumidification system, rubberized locker room flooring, a water treatment system, and an elevator to meet current ADA Standards. In 2017, support from the City of Sartell afforded us the ability to invest in an expanded paved lot, adding 293 new parking spaces. The facility expansion in 2020-2021 included the new RDR Arena and the facility was then renamed the SCHEELS Athletic Complex. The expansion also included new dasher boards and 8’ glass in Bernick’s Arena. Other improvements included 120’ of new dryland space, a 40’ batting gate, new meeting/conference room, 4 new general use locker rooms, 2 new high school locker rooms in RDR, new artificial turf, and a new Zamboni. The Partners section of this page can be removed.

2001: Pinecone Regional Park established.

2003: Bernick’s Arena opened in Pinecone Regional Park.

BEGINNING IN 2004: Established yearly partnerships with local athletic associations to utilize Bernick’s Arena for training, games, and tournaments.

2008:Outfitted the arena with astro-turf, which served as the catalyst for year-round usage.  The turf made Bernick’s one of the few facilities in Central Minnesota that offered indoor playing fields.

2011: Launched a spring concert series at the arena, bringing thousands of people to the arena on a yearly basis.

2013: Entered into a long-term lease with the Sartell Sapphires Gymnastics Association to use Bernick’s Arena for training during the spring and summer months.

2017: Feasibility study proved project to be successful and planning committees ensued.

2019: SCHEELS secures naming rights for the new complex as a result of their lead gift/donation.

AUGUST 26TH, 2020: SCHEELS Athletic Complex Groundbreaking Ceremony

MAY 1, 2021: RDR ARENA WAS COMPLETE AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

FIRST USE WAS ARTIFICIAL TURF MAY-OCTOBER. FIRST ICE WAS NOVEMBER 1, 2021.