2026 WAYHA Informational Annual Meeting
2.22.26
Agenda with Minutes
Time, Date, Place of Meeting: 2/22/26, Mezzanine, 7:00p
Call to Order: Melanie Hirte
Attendance Board Members: Mara Schulz, Mel Hirte, Mel Saykaly, Misty Holzman, Brandon McPeak, Zac Loughrin, Bob Schulz, Pete Olson, Dawson Bohm. Missing: Forrest Wright, Collin Dykstra.
Attendance Members: Nick Rooney, Holly Mork, Seth Curtis, Adam Prill, Courtney Bohling, Eric Bohling, Zach Litchfield, Sydney Litchfield, Nicholas Hilarides, Jazmine Hilarides, Tara Ambrose, Dustin Cieslewice.
Numbers:  members: 21 Members total. 

Agenda Review & Intros – “Robert’s Rules” (5 mins.) – Mel H
WAYHA Mission (5 mins.) – Mel H
WAYHA History / Background (5 mins.) – Mel H
Recent Strategic Initiatives and Investments (10 mins.) – Bob
2025 Financial Overview (5 mins.) – Misty
2026 Budget (5 mins.) – Misty
Club Comparison (5 mins.) – Bob / Brandon / Pete
Volunteers Update (5 mins.) – Mara
Bylaws Highlights (5 mins.) – Bob
Q&A (10 mins.)

Following information was presented by slide show presentation: 

WAYHA Mission
For the kids
To help develop the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of our youth by participating in the sport of hockey
Make hockey affordable for all
Economic benefit to community – Hotel tax

WAYHA History / Background
WAYHA established in1979 – Non-profit organization
Outdoor rink until the EXPO was constructed in 1989
One of ~six associations in WI where the rink is owned by the club
Completely volunteer organization with no employees
Currently ~110 skaters (~10 bantams at other organizations*)
Rink Rats (32), Mites (34), Squirts (22), and Peewees (22)
2020 (Covid year) only 8 Rink Rats

Strategic Initiatives & Investments
Strategic Initiatives Executed in Recent History to Increase Participation and Support Financial Wellbeing of the Club:  
Learn to Skate program
First year skaters are free
Welcome back to WAYHA annual event
July 4th Parade participation (2nd place float 2024)
Formalized parent meetings to review volunteer requirements and handbook annually
Refreshed handbook
Defined club roles with formalized documents
No ice over the summer to allow event rentals and reduce operating costs
Sponsored Friday night showcase games (Radio)
Improving local business relationships

Strategic Initiatives & Investments
Fundraising and donation efforts:
Golf Outing (~$13k / year run by one family)
UTV fundraiser during Covid (~$30k)
Brat fry ($2k / year)
Zamboni donation (Farmers State Bank & Private Donation)
Miniboards (~$6k), Skate Helpers (~$3k), Shooting Range (~$5k for ’26 installation), Scoreboard, & Benches – (Private donations)
Skate room remodel (Miron donation)
Calendar sales and payout adjustments
Trialed other events:  Pizza fundraiser & volunteering at the Fair (~$1-3k per event)

Strategic Initiatives & Investments
Contract negotiations:
Jersey sponsorship (~$35k in jersey expenses covered) – contract renewal soon
Renegotiated insurance, utilities (refuse and snow removal), and bank rates to reduce costs and increase interest income
H.S. Contract ($12k -> $18k with escalators)
Rink side advertising systemic approach
Grant writing:
Chamber grants for front retaining wall & exterior paint & ADA compliance updates (nominated for Chamber Facelift award)
Rental skates, Mite equipment, and Goalie equipment grants
Scheels grant (not awarded)
Offseason events:
Wrestling events (~$2k / event)
Home Show in Summer ‘26 (~$1k)
Circus events (~$2k / event)
WAHA Performance Camp (~$6k)
3x3 Tourney in March ‘26 (expect ~$8k-12k)
Exploring an option for a “banquet” fundraiser

Strategic Initiatives & Investments
Concessions Investments:
Fryer purchased with substantial positive ROI
Established annual pricing reviews of items in concessions
ATM installation
Square credit card reader
Improved purchase tracking
Rink and Other Investments & Maintenance:
Compressor electronic controls upgraded
Lighting upgrades and bleacher heaters
Shooter tutors, in ice logos, & new frames / nets plus mini nets
Livebarn installation and recent upgrade
Back parking lot clean up and stone work
Pump / plumbing maintenance and ADA restroom updates
Sports Engine -> Crossbar (volunteer tracking & other benefits)
Duct work / zone heating improvements in newer locker rooms
Replacements of furnace for bathrooms, concession, and original locker rooms
Doors re-done twice and bleacher steps & handrails
New Referee Room started

2025 Financial Overview
BLUF: Overall financial situation has recovered since 2020 with positive results since 2022, allowing for increased investments.
2025 Revenue (including other income*) = $262.6k 
Revenue Drivers:
Registration = $63.8k (Only 24.3% of Revenue & includes home tourney revenue)
Ice Rental = $44.2k
Concessions = $40.3k (Net Profit of ~$12k)
Calendar Sales = $29.6k
Event Income, Advertising Signs, Donations, Open Skate, grant income & HS Gate (all between ~$8k-14k)
2025 Expenses (including interest exp) = $233.4k
Expense Drivers:
Building Costs = $47.2k
Electric = $42.2k
Gas = $22.0k
Concessions = $28.4k
Referee Expense = $15.9k
Interest Expense, Calendar expense, Insurance (all between ~$9k-14k) 
2025 Net Income = $29.2k
2025 Financial Overview
BLUF:  Overall Balance Sheet and Cash Flow are healthy, including a strong current ratio and reasonable amounts of long-term debt
2025 Cash and CD = $229.2k
Long-term Assets = $2,073.3k
Total Liabilities = $309.9k
Entirely Note Payable to First State Bank
2026 Budget Overview
BLUF:  Utilizing the last four years results, created a challenging, yet obtainable 2026 financial budget that will require focused execution of strategic initiatives around fundraising, the return of a Bantam team, and continued cost containment efforts
2026 Revenue (including other income*) = $308.5k
Drivers to Increase YOY:
Substantial donations increase
Continue pricing actions in concessions
HS Contract (WAYHA Gate fees)
2026 Expenses (including interest exp) = $259.8k
Includes appropriate cost escalators & maintenance on the higher end of the historical range
2026 Net Income = $48.7k

Club Comparison (Bantam)
Both clubs require penalty box, scorekeeping, and clock
WAYHA requires Zamboni drivers and locker room cleaners on a rotating basis; the comparison club does not
WAYHA requires concessions and the comparison club cannot get enough concession workers (counts to hours)
WAYHA bantams have three practices per week at 1-1.5 hours / practice compared to two at 50 minutes each
WAYHA schedules 35-40 games vs ~25
WAYHA Volunteering
Club requires 15 Volunteer hours per family across the year (opportunities outside of hockey season)
We have attempted to compute the number of hours required annually to make the requirement as realistic as possible, but skater numbers and other factors make this an “art versus science”
Through 2/1/26, there have been 1,590 documented volunteer hours fulfilled
Continued challenge fulfilling volunteer requirements for some families
33% of Families have not yet completed required hours
80% of Volunteer hours are completed by 40% of families
WAYHA Bylaws & Committees
Bylaws require the following committees:
Finance (Misty, Collin, and Melanie S.)
Fundraising (Zac, Chrissy, Mara, Bob)
Disciplinary (VP (Forrest) and Director of Hockey (Brandon) and appointed member from the Board)
Special committees on an as needed basis
Please reach out if you would like to join a committee
Bylaws
Establishing a recurring meeting to align with Board member terms for the bylaw required Annual Meeting
Bylaws going out for update and legal review
Board seat applications due 2/25/26
5 Seats available
Executive team nominations to follow, including President

7:48p Floor is open for question and answer portion: 

Q&A

Meeting Discussion Summary / Member Comments
Zac Litchfield (Mite Parent/Coach)
	•	Asked about summer opportunities for kids in the facility, specifically dry land activities.
	•	Mel H responded that a proposal should be presented to the Board with full details.
	•	Asked about adding name plates (last names) to jerseys and requested new Mite jerseys.
	•	Board noted prior discussion regarding jersey contract negotiations.

Pete Olson
	•	Requested information regarding hiring a skills coach to work with specific levels.
	•	Will present details to the Board when available.

Eric Bohling
	•	Commented on how to increase club involvement and engagement.
	•	Noted the small board size and workload carried by current members.
	•	Stated that information presented at meetings is valuable for the club to know.
	•	Regarding bylaws: requested transparency about updates and member voting on changes.

Courtney Bohling
	•	Asked for a options on methods for string information with the club.
	•	Identified a disconnect between email communications and where information is posted so members utilize it best.

Nick Hilarides (Mite Coach)
	•	Requested more practice time for Mite level, suggesting 1.5-hour sessions instead of 1 hour.
	◦	Mel H: Suggested Saturday morning practice option (8:00–9:00 AM).
	◦	Seth: Noted concern about excessive standing time for Mites.
	◦	Bob: Recommended further discussion with Director of Hockey and ice scheduler.
	•	Requested new jerseys for Mites.
	◦	Mel H: Noted this was discussed at the previous board meeting with Mel S and Nick; jersey contract negotiations are ongoing.
	•	Requested a fundraising letter to send to Mite families.
	◦	Bob: Recommended the Fundraising Committee prepare letters tailored to specific companies to avoid duplicate solicitation issues.

Adam Prill
	•	Confirmed no voting was taking place at the meeting.
	•	Recommended future membership voting on bylaws rather than board-only voting.
	◦	Bob: Explained the Board is updating bylaws to maintain nonprofit compliance and transparency.
	◦	Mel H: Noted that the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association conducts annual meetings where bylaws are adopted and voted on.

Holly Mork
	•	Thanked Board members for their work and dedication to the club.

Closing Comments — Mel H
	•	Encouraged members to run for Board positions.
	•	Board candidate biographies are due February 25th. 

Motion to adjourn: Bob, Second Dawson. All in favor. Approved. 
Time: 8:38p
Minutes by: Mara Schulz