[2026.01.24] Donation to Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi Ice Rink

[Wintek]

On January 23, 2026, we came to know about Yuzuru's donation to and ice rink located in Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi. This donation was then reported by Sports Hochi on January 24th

 

[Wintek]

[2026.01.24]

Sports Hochi

*Machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

Article: https://hochi.news/articles/20260123-OHT1T51353.html?page=1 

Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20260123223150/https://hochi.news/articles/20260123-OHT1T51353.html?page=1 

Yuzuru Hanyu donates over 54 million yen to local skating rink “Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi” — renovation work realized

It was learned by the 23rd that professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (31) has donated 54,205,800 yen to a local skating rink, “Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi,” in Miyagi. Thanks to the donation, renovation work was carried out last summer, and the rink has been reborn with improved conditions.

Facility director Hiroki Baba (48) expressed his gratitude, saying, “We’re thankful. I was truly surprised. He said it was for young people, and for those who will start skating in the future. He really is an incredible person.”

The skating rink at “Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi” is normally open from October to March each year. Because of the structure of the building, condensation from the ceiling would drip down, and the ice surface would often become covered with bumps. Hanyu had long been concerned about the condition of the rink and worried that children skating there might fall and get injured. When Baba was consulted with the words, “If there’s anything I can do to help,” he spoke with contractors. They proposed renovation work to prevent condensation by installing six dehumidifiers and eight air blowers, and by applying anti-condensation paint to the steel framework. Despite the high cost of the work, Hanyu immediately decided, saying, “Let’s do it,” and gave strong support to the renovation.

Construction, which began in the summer, was completed in September. Baba said, “The air is different from before. The humidity, which used to be around 70 percent, has dropped to 50 percent, and the condensation is gone. We’ve been operating since October last year, and we’ve been able to do so with absolutely no condensation. Figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey teams all practice at our rink, and everyone has been pleased,” speaking on behalf of the skaters’ feelings.

The battery of the ice resurfacing machine (Zamboni) used to maintain the ice surface was also replaced with a new one thanks to the donation. After the New Year, “Bellsanpia Miyagi Izumi” installed a thank-you board reporting the details under the title, “Regarding the donation from Mr. Yuzuru Hanyu.” It reads: “Through this renovation work, our skating rink is currently able to maintain the ice surface in good condition without condensation. Going forward as well, in response to Mr. Yuzuru Hanyu’s generosity, all of our staff will continue to make every effort to ensure the rink can be used safely.”

Hanyu continues to provide ongoing support to rinks in his hometown and to disaster-affected areas. He donated the entirety of his Olympic gold medal prize money (6 million yen from the 2014 Sochi Games and 10 million yen from the 2018 PyeongChang Games) to Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City. His donations to his home base, “Ice Rink Sendai,” have already exceeded 100 million yen.