OREGON -- A sports arena seems an unlikely place for reading, writing and arithmetic. But Oregon's new alternative high school -- Oregon Alternative School and Integrated Studies, OASIS -- will open Sept. 2 in the still-being-constructed Oregon Community Sports Arena.

School officials say teaching students next door to a hockey rink is neither a distraction nor an attraction.

"The location, whether it's in the library or whether it's in the sports arena or whether it's in the back of the garage, it doesn't really matter," said Chris Ligocki, Oregon High School principal.

The approach to education that focuses on more individualized attention for students is what is important, he said. "I don't think (the location) will make any difference whatsoever." The school is for students who may not thrive in a more traditional setting.

After several years of discussions, fundraising, negotiations and delays, the Oregon Community Sports Arena broke ground in March.

About 30 students are expected when the school opens Sept. 2.

The centerpiece of the $2.5 million, 42,000-square-foot arena will be an National Hockey League-sized indoor hockey rink that will open later this fall. The building also will house a concession stand and the community room that will double as the district's alternative school.

"I think for us it's a great partnership," Ligocki said. "The location is terrific. It's virtually adjacent to our (high school) campus."

The building's been designed to add on a second phase, either another rink or basketball courts, said Jeff Groenier, president of the Oregon Community Sports Arena.

Randall Smith, lead teacher at the alternative school, agrees the hockey rink won't be a distraction, saying it will be "out of sight, out of mind."

"That's all closed off and really doesn't exist unless we decide to go over for skating," he said.

Starting the alternative school for the Oregon School District was made possible by a $90,000 grant from the Department of Public Instruction. The district will receive that amount for the first three years, then 60 percent of the funding the fourth year and 40 percent the fifth.

Most of the funding is going toward salaries of three teachers and an educational assistant, Ligocki said.

The school will have about 3,000 square feet of space, including the building's community room when it's not in use.

The school will start this fall with only 11th- and 12th-graders, but officials hope to eventually open it to ninth- and 10th-graders. In addition the school district some day would like to hold evening classes, such as those for adults geared toward getting their diplomas.

"Eventually we'd like to expand it into a year-round school situation," Ligocki said.

Skyler Novotny, who will be a junior this fall attending the new alternative school, said going to class in the sports arena won't be a distraction, although he hopes to learn to ice skate.

"What I'm looking forward to is a more calm environment with not as many students," he said of the alternative school. "Just kind of being with people in the same boat as you."