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Historic Elkhi Stadium <br />Most commonly referred to by locals as Handke Stadium, due to <br />its location next to the original Handke High School, the Elkhi <br />Stadium is one of the landmarks of downtown Elk River. On <br />May 26, 2004 Elkhi Stadium was listed on the National Register <br />of Historic Places. Built in the 1920's when volunteers turned a <br />slough in a natural amphitheater into a playing field, the stadium <br />was the place for a variety of high school athletic games over the <br />years. During the winter, kids sledded down the hills and skated <br />on the village's only ice rink. <br />Over the years the stadium aged and fell into disrepair. The <br />stone warming house that was added in the 1930's by WPA crews <br />was rebuilt in 2000 -2005 with funds raised by the Elk River <br />Rotary Club. The club completed additional restorations as well, <br />including: a gas fireplace addition to the warming house, the <br />stone wall was replaced, the steps were repaired, a stone plaza <br />containing the original Handke High School bell was built at one <br />of the entrances to the stadium and the area was landscaped. <br />Today the beautifully restored stadium is used for recreational <br />hockey, ice skating and other events. <br />Bell Tower <br />November 19, 2012 -Part I, page 26 - <br />