Shortage of ice rinks in the DMV -- is there anything that we can do?

[Anonymous]

My take on it is that land is incredibly more expensive in this area, OP, than in the other places you cited. Dog owners are desperately in need of dog parks. Schools are in need of more land to expand. We are in dire need of more swimming pools. Everyone needs land for something!

And you know what we're MOST in need of?

Affordable housing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which ones are the best?

Depends on what you mean by best. The nicest are probably the newer ones - ion, st James. Medstar is pretty nice too. Cabin John and kettler are not nice but have good coaches. It really depends what you’re looking for and what level skater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drive to Laurel. Many of DS’s teammates there (Tri City/Howard Huskies) came from DC.

Doesn’t solve the problem of fewer rinks in DC though

DC has a few recreational rinks, and Fort DuPont. If what the OP is looking for is a regulation hockey rink, that’s a bit harder to find.

[Anonymous]

The two rinks managed by Montgomery county they just aren’t willing to put money into. I’m not sure why. Both Wheaton and cabin John have plenty of land and are just crappy facilities.
Rockville is difficult to get ice time because it’s monopolized by private school hockey teams.

[Anonymous]

When we were in Toronto, we saw ice rinks on the lowest level of some of the high rises. It's hard to take your hockey bag on public transportation though. I guess a lot of rink patrons are able to walk. Maybe the group that owns Rockville arena will consider adding another rink? They need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The two rinks managed by Montgomery county they just aren’t willing to put money into. I’m not sure why. Both Wheaton and cabin John have plenty of land and are just crappy facilities.
Rockville is difficult to get ice time because it’s monopolized by private school hockey teams.

Wheaton is kind of a crappy facility, but CJ is fine. They renovated the NHL rink about 2 years ago. I don't think private schools "monopolizing ice time" is actually what's going on. There's a lot of demand from all the programs and lots of figure skating that goes on there, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skating isn't a thing here - it's not the culture. You'd need to move north to get what you want.

This. It’s warmer here. If ice hockey and figure skating are imprints t to you, move up north.

[Anonymous]

Wells Ice Rink in College Park?

The Laurel rink is much larger though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My take on it is that land is incredibly more expensive in this area, OP, than in the other places you cited. Dog owners are desperately in need of dog parks. Schools are in need of more land to expand. We are in dire need of more swimming pools. Everyone needs land for something!

And you know what we're MOST in need of?

Affordable housing.

This is one of the reasons why I think RFK Stadium should be redeveloped into a major community sporting facility, along the lines of Chelsea Piers in New York. Facing the Anacostia riverfront for all the kayakers and rowers. There is enough space for a massive building or series of buildings housing ice rinks, swimming pools, basketball courts, cricket pitches, whatever. Go ahead and make room for a circus tent and circus school. Flying trapeze and contortion as an after school activity, anyone?

What DC *doesn't* need is yet another small plates restaurant that will fail within two years, a pointless facade for a bank branch, or a weed shop. Yet these seem to be the only types of businesses opening. If WFH is really going to be a permanent thing, there is so much good real estate in Metro-accessible neighborhoods that could be repurposed to be destination facilities for ice skating and other sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which ones are the best?

Depends on what you mean by best. The nicest are probably the newer ones - ion, st James. Medstar is pretty nice too. Cabin John and kettler are not nice but have good coaches. It really depends what you’re looking for and what level skater.

How is MedStar nice and Kettler not? It’s the same place with different sponsors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skating isn't a thing here - it's not the culture. You'd need to move north to get what you want.

This. It’s warmer here. If ice hockey and figure skating are imprints t to you, move up north.

That doesn't explain California.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of rinks. Too many. Really watered down local hockey. They need to fix older rinks like Bowie and Mt Vernon. Maybe add a sheet to Reston.

[Anonymous]

We like Laurel (Gardens). We're in MoCo and it's quicker to get there than Rockville for us. Nice gym, cafe, pro shop, and overall it's a comfortable facility. Three sheets plus an outdoor rink and curling. Also, it's right next to a beautiful natural area with trails for walking and mountain biking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which ones are the best?

Depends on what you mean by best. The nicest are probably the newer ones - ion, st James. Medstar is pretty nice too. Cabin John and kettler are not nice but have good coaches. It really depends what you’re looking for and what level skater.

How is MedStar nice and Kettler not? It’s the same place with different sponsors.

Sorry, I meant Fairfax, not kettler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of rinks. Too many. Really watered down local hockey. They need to fix older rinks like Bowie and Mt Vernon. Maybe add a sheet to Reston.

This comment is funny if you know all that has gone on with the Bowie rink.