Kansas City Mavericks, Variety KC get creative to offer inclusive family fun

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A metro organization is working with the Kansas City Mavericks to make sure everyone can be part of the team.

Variety KC and the Mavericks said they want to make sure families of all abilities have a place to be together.

That started with a New Year’s Eve Mavericks game and inclusive post-game open skate in Independence.

The skate included special hockey sleds that allowed fans who need mobility assistance to get out on the ice.

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The sleds will be available for fans to use at future Mavericks games.

The New Year’s Eve family experience was even more special for James Arkell, the owner of the Mavericks, and his son. He said he knows how difficult it can be for families who have will different needs to experience things together.

“We started these [sleds] about eight years ago, and we take them around to different places, allowing them to be kids,” Arkell said through a news release. “It’s so much work for these families and these parents. We want to make it easier for them to get out and enjoy doing things as a family that isn’t so difficult or hindered by whatever their special need might be.”

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The Mavericks also offer families a special quiet area for fans who needed a calming area in the middle of a noisy game.

“We started with the sensory space upstairs, allowing families to have a place to go if they needed it,” Arkell said. “But the sleds allow all families, and every member of the family, to be able to get out there and enjoy skating.”

The next postgame skate, including the sleds, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Jan. 18. The game also happens to be the Maverick’s Military Appreciation Night.

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