Gartrell steps down from ice foundation

Marla Gartrell stepped away from the front lines of the Incline Ice Foundation Tuesday, stepping down as the organization's president.

She said she made the decision to resign from the ice foundation after listening to the advice of longtime friend and mentor Nancy Binz of Incline Village.

"We had a discussion about the challenge we faced recently and she made a suggestion that I step down as president," Gartrell said Wednesday. "It's time to pass the torch."

The Incline Ice Foundation is in the midst of reassessing its future after former naming donor William Zink withdrew his $1.5 million from the group in April.

Ice foundation officials said last week someone has come to them offering to be the group's new naming donor and that the foundation is negotiating for a location for an outdoor rink 10 minutes outside of Incline Village.

Officials haven't released the name of the new donor nor have they said what location they're looking at for an outdoor rink.

Gartrell said she will continue to support the foundation's plans for an indoor ice arena, but will stay off the group's board.

"I can put labels on envelopes or I can write a check," she said. "I've been so close to it for so long."

Gartrell established the ice foundation six years ago and has been president of the board since its inception.

"I'll support this project until it gets done," she added. "I'm very honored to have worked with the group of people on the board."

Leadership of the ice foundation now goes to its vice president, Janet Pahl.

"She needs a little rest," Pahl said of Gartrell. "No one has worked as hard or put as much time into this as she has."

Pahl said Gartrell is a hard worker, but was surprised her resignation "happened as soon as it did."

Pahl said now the foundation is concentrating its efforts on establishing an outdoor rink to help gain enough community support to build an indoor arena.

"The entire board is in favor of that," she said. "Someday we can build it if that is what the community wants."

Gartrell said she believes an indoor arena will become a reality in Incline and that its something she wants North Shore children to experience.

She also said she supports an outdoor rink.

"I think it will be a great venue for fund-raising, to get the ball rolling," she added.