Hockey teams, figure skaters will get replacement arena
A year from now, ice arena activities will return to North Idaho. Kootenai Youth Recreation Organization plans to construct the KYRO Community Arena at 3525 Seltice Way. The building will replace the one destroyed by heavy snow two winters ago. The four-acre parcel once was home to Y-J Foods.
The 40,000-square-foot facility will include a 200-by-85-foot (NHL-size) rink, seating for more than 500 people, rooms for special events, a heated lobby and locker rooms. The parking lot will have level access to the rink and to the Centennial Trail.
About 250 youths ages 5-18 will participate in two hockey clubs, and it will be the home arena for the Coeur d’Alene Lakers Junior A team. The arena will host practices, matches, tournaments and camps as well as school P.E. classes and church groups.
Lessons and figure skating will be provided by two clubs. More than 220 people are expected to enroll in classes, including parent-tot groups. Other activities include adult hockey and broomball.
A nonprofit organization, KYRO’s president is Vince Hughes, a computer programmer and cattle rancher who came to Post Falls from Polson, Mont., in 1992. KYRO will have about 10 employees. Call (208) 765-4423 or visit www.kyro.org.
Famous Willies BBQ opens
Yes, the owner’s name is Willie (Spradley), but the name of the place doesn’t have an apostrophe for a reason. Its décor celebrates many famous Willies (Williams, Bills, etc.). Some have the last names Mays, Shakespeare, Nelson, Clinton, the Kid and Stargell, for example.
Located in the former Donut House building at 107 E. Seventh St. (behind Domino’s Pizza), Post Falls, the 1,000-square-foot barbecue eatery has indoor seating for 26 customers, with a pergola for outdoor seating. Famous Willies also offers takeout and catering and has 10-15 employees.
The menu comprises slow-cooked, smoked ribs, briskets, roasts, sausage and chicken parts with choices of mild, Cajun and jalapeno sauces. Sides include corn, potato salad, cole slaw and beans. Debbe Spradley is the pie chef. The Spradleys came from Deadwood, Texas, for the traditional boys’ and girls’ Catholic schools in Post Falls.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 to 9 Fridays and Saturdays. Call (208) 773-0000 (four 0’s, really).
Crosby’s adds second store
With a location offering good accessibility and increasing traffic, Deborah Young has opened a second Crosby’s Floral & Interior Accents in Prairie Shopping Center, Hayden. The 1,250-square-foot facility is between Rite-Aid and Caruso’s Deli on the mall’s east side.
The store offers fresh flowers, custom bouquets, home décor items and gifts, including vases, candles, books, jewelry, perfumes, purses and CDs. With five employees, Young also has Crosby’s Floral & Interior Accents in Ironwood Plaza at 2404 Ironwood Drive. She came from Fairfield, Calif., to join family in North Idaho in 2005.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 to 5 Saturdays in Hayden and 10 to 3 weekdays and by appointment in Coeur d’Alene. Call (208) 762-9708 or visit www.crosbysfloral.com.
This week’s tidbits
•Last week we hinted about new restaurants. Today we described one. Stay tuned; we have four to go.
•Also watch for news about several retail changes happening in downtown Coeur d’Alene at the end of the month.
•Thanks to all the volunteers and Starbucks for the Tubbs Hill cleanup last Saturday. That’s definitely the jewel of this town.