Pilgrim Skating Arena was founded in 1974 by Arthur Flaherty, Ed Taylor and Jack O’Donoghue. The "Founders," as we like to call them, took control of the rink when it was in bankruptcy and reorganized it into a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Pilgrim became the platform through which the Founders could take their shared beliefs and put them into practice. This is probably best characterized by Pilgrim’s motto “The Rink that Teaches.” What Pilgrim tries to develop most is individual character, responsibility and contribution to a team.

 

On any given weekend during the hockey season, over eight thousand skaters, parents, siblings and fans come to Pilgrim Skating Arena to use the facility. Our skaters range in age from 2 through 70+. We are home to local Boys and Girls town and High School teams, Skating Clubs, Learn-to-Skate programs and numerous year-round Hockey Leagues and Camps. We can even boast that a noticeable number of players have gone on to successful college and pro hockey careers.

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All profits from Pilgrim go back into its operations, into the development of additional skating programs and into our scholarship program and other charitable endeavors.  Due to sound and prudent management, Pilgrim’s ability to give back to the community has grown over the years.

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For the last 48 years, Pilgrim Skating Arena has awarded scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors (boys and girls, skaters and non-skaters alike) through our merit-based scholarship program.  Among the attributes considered by the Scholarship Committee are a student’s leadership, scholarship, athleticism, artistic capabilities, overall achievements, citizenship and contributions to school and community. Most years there are over 250 students who request scholarship applications.  

 

As of June, 2021, Pilgrim has given out 557 scholarships totaling over $2,042,500.00.

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No other ice rink in Massachusetts has engaged in the level of charitable giving that Pilgrim Skating Arena has. Follow our official Facebook page @PilgrimArenaInc and Instagram @PilgrimSkatingArena to stay informed.

 

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