Strong Community Partnerships and Support Drive Plans for Indoor Sports Facility

In July 2024, Bemidji Girls Fastpitch Softball (BGFSA), Bemidji Youth Baseball (BYBA), and Bemidji Youth Soccer (BYS) began exploring the Neilson-Reise Arena as a potential indoor sports facility to serve their organizations and the broader community. They conducted several site visits and meetings to assess its suitability and explored various grants. In May of 2025, the group applied for a grant from the George W. Neilson Foundation and received a generous award of $250,000 to begin the project. This incredible support is exactly what the groups needed to kickstart the vision of a year-round sports facility for local youth and the community.

The three organizations then formed the Bemidji Indoor Sports Commission, Inc (BISC), a non-profit organization that will oversee the renovation and management of the facility. 

In September, 2025, the City of Bemidji approved the lease of the building to BISC. The support from the Mayor, City Manager, and Council was another critical keystone in moving the project forward.

“We are so excited and grateful for the partnership and support from the George W. Neilson Foundation and the City of Bemidji, to revitalize the former arena into a usable facility for our youth. Indoor space for year-round training has been a growing need for all three of our organizations and being able to repurpose this building to serve not only our organizations but the community as a whole, is a win-win.

This arena was once a bustling home for so many hockey and figure skating families with countless memories made. While it's no longer possible to use it for ice, we feel it's still a place that can bring that same spirit and passion for sports, with new memories to be made. This is a project of collaboration and community. It's an effort that we hope others will join us on, and wrap their arms around as we create a space for kids and the community to thrive.

— Caralee Nowak, President of BISC

While the primary users will be the three summer youth sports organizations—softball, baseball, and soccer—the facility will also be available for rent to other area youth and adult sports organizations, community groups, and the general public.

The goal is to complete renovations and host a soft opening for the three sports organizations by the end of the year, with a grand opening to the public in Spring 2026. BISC will launch a website for community members and organizations to reserve and rent space.

Although the George W. Neilson Foundation’s donation covers a significant portion of the renovation, BISC is actively seeking additional donations and sponsorships to fully realize the vision for the Neilson Fieldhouse and ensure long-term operational success.

To donate, please contact Will Tysver at Bank Forward, or email BISC at bemidjiindoorsports@gmail.com.