Above: Members of the Southern Utah Independent hockey team honor the late Kerry Jo Fain for her vision and dream of a new local hockey rink in Enoch. Photo by ABC 4 News
By Polina Edmunds
In the heart of Southern Utah, where red rock cliffs and desert landscapes dominate the landscape, a new kind of terrain has taken root: one made of smooth ice, echoing with laughter, blades and community spirit.
KJ’s Ice Barn, a year-round indoor skating facility in Enoch, officially opened its doors in late 2024 — but its story began long before that, with one woman’s unwavering dream.
The late Kerry Jo Fain was more than just a hockey mom. She was a cornerstone of her family and a quiet force behind the growing interest in ice sports in a region where such opportunities were reserved only for winter.
With her husband, Chad, coaching and her children playing, Fain became a passionate advocate for building a permanent home for skating in Southern Utah. For years, the Fain family created makeshift rinks — one assembled in a barn with plywood boards, another in the woods with water pumps and a lawnmower-turned-Zamboni — all to give local kids a place to play.
But it wasn’t enough. Traveling hours to Provo or Salt Lake City for ice time was a regular hurdle for youth athletes. KJ’s dream was simple but powerful: a permanent, inclusive rink in their hometown, where anyone — no matter their background or ability — could come and learn to skate.
That dream gained urgency when Fain was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Even during treatment, she continued advocating for the rink, and an anonymous donor stepped forward to fund the vision.
As construction began, KJ remained involved in every detail she could — until her passing in January 2024. Though she never got to see the rink completed, her name and spirit live on in every glide, goal and spin on the ice.
“Kerry left me with all the tools I needed to take care of the kids in this community,” Chad said, noting that teaching children to skate was always one of Kerry’s top priorities.
Named in her honor, KJ’s Ice Barn offers a wide array of grassroots skating programs. From Learn to Skate USA classes and youth hockey programs to adult leagues and high school-level opportunities, the rink has quickly become a hub for beginners and seasoned skaters alike.
And the impact is already being felt. In October 2024, the facility hosted a high school hockey game to commemorate its opening. More than 900 people turned out — an extraordinary show of support for a town of Enoch’s size.
“We were at full capacity — it was amazing,” said Alyssa Fain, Kerry Jo’s daughter. “We welcomed so many local kids who came to watch into our Learn to Skate program that night, and we’re encouraging older players to give back and promote the sport by helping teach.”
That ethos of inclusivity and mentorship is central to the rink’s identity.
“What’s unique about this ice rink is that everyone is welcome, no matter their experience or background,” said Ashley Haderlie, skating program director. “At some rinks, new skaters can feel a bit of imposter syndrome, unsure where or if they belong. Here, the Fain family is right there on the ice helping teach. It’s all about sharing the love of skating.”
The rink also fosters collaboration between figure skaters and hockey players — a rarity in many ice arenas.
“It’s 100% about the kids,” Haderlie said. “If they’re passionate about this sport, we’re going to support their growth and development.”
As the only year-round rink in this part of the state, KJ’s Ice Barn is already transforming the recreational landscape of Southern Utah. It stands not just as a facility, but as a living tribute to a woman who saw potential where others saw limits. It's a symbol of resilience, vision and community.
Fain’s legacy is now etched into the ice, inviting the next generation to dream big, skate far and carry her spirit forward — one stride at a time. The future of ice sports in Southern Utah has never looked brighter.
