The VFW Sports Center is a year-round multi-purpose indoor ice rink and recreation facility located at 1200 N Washington Street that is managed by Bismarck Parks & Recreation. It hosts Bismarck Bobcats hockey and Capital Curling Club.
The arena was first conceptualized in 1980 with the development of a master plan for Tom O’Leary Park, which also included expanding the namesake golf course.
By July 1984, feasibility studies were complete and a council was formed to raise funds, which would be a mix of private and government financing. Construction cost was estimated at $4 million. Tvenge and Associates commenced architectural designs in November 1984. The Bismarck City Commission authorized $1 million in MIDA bonds in early 1985. Construction commenced that May.
Borrowing scoreboards from the Civic Center, youth hockey first skated there in February 1986 while construction continued. The Winter Sports and Recreation Show, held October 31-November 1, essentially opened the arena to the public. By the time the center was dedicated in November 1987, the decision was made to name it in honor of VFW Post 1326 – a major donor.
An 85×200-foot second ice sheet was added to the north in 1999 for about $1.8 million. Another major expansion concluded in early 2024 for $16.6 million, expanding to three rinks.
