Has an Ice Rink Ever Been Considered?
 

Has there ever been consideration of an ice rink in The Villages? I know there are hockey players and some ice dancers here. I was wondering if there had ever been any attempts to facilitate a rink.
With the hockey players going to Maitland, I was wondering if there is interest in trying to get a facility up here. I believe that the local high schools might show an interest in joining as they could benefit from learn-to-skate, hockey and curling activities.
Any thoughts on this matter, or any prior history is greatly appreciated.

The rink will be right next to the new Costco.

maybe they could freeze one of the lakes too and we could have some ice sailing.

No, there is zero chance they will put an ice rink in TV. :ho:

A significant number of Villager's moved in order to escape the ice and snow. I doubt they want to bring it with them.

Plus, old people and ice don't mix well. Why give the orthopedic surgeons any more work than they already have?

One of the happiest days of my life was the day I sold the snow blower.

How about beach volleyball instead? Old people in skimpy bikinis.

I don't know if it has ever been considered but in a town of 130,000 people there would probably be enough to justify something modest. Then again, being from Minnesota, one of the major reasons for the move was to get AWAY from ice :). Even though The Villages, as far as I know, has no rinks, there are rinks in adjacent areas: Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland, etc.

One of the major concerns for such a facility in The Villages would be maintenance. The ice needs to be maintained at a constant temperature as different temperatures gives the ice different characteristics: Ice maintained at 0 degrees Fahrenheit vs. ice maintained at, say, +20 degrees Fahrenheit, even though both are "ice" and both look the same, will have different properties that affect the skating. Plus, not only the temperature but the humidity inside the building must be strictly controlled.

Then there is the maintenance of the surface, which must be leveled and refrozen periodically. Skating chews up the surface pretty good. Anyone who has watched pro hockey knows that the ice is resurfaced (washed, shaved and re-surfaced) between periods of the game by a "Zamboni", a big lumbering machine that can cost upwards of $200,000 and which itself must be regularly maintained. A more modest rink would require something smaller and cheaper: I've seen 'em up in Minnesota where the operator stands on a ramp on the back of the machine and guides it over the ice. So...bottom line...a properly maintained ice rink can cost multiples of what, say, a similarly-sized gym would cost for maintenance.

I'd like to see one here though. It has been some years since I've been on skates but it is a fun way to get some exercise.

Right next door to an orthopedic clinic and rehab center specializing in senior falls.

Yeah I agree with your points on that and especially the last one!:shocked:

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Just to save doc the trouble.

Ice-skating rink open at Lake Square Mall -- ‘It’s an experience for everyone’ - Orlando Sentinel

Not sure if this is still there.

Winterland Adventures | Facebook

I don't know anything about ice rinks except they are slippery.

So, two things come to mind, I expect they are expensive to maintain (and keep cold) and they are slippery. With most people here seniors, playing hockey seems to be a poor lifestyle choice. But, I could be wrong.

Adjacent to the new orthopaedic specialists and ortho surgery clinic. Y'know - where people go after a fun day skating to get their hips replaced.

My eyes, my eyes!!! Pain, pain, pain, pain!!!!!!

Like there aren't already enough hip fractures here...

Mmm, about same as one golf course :)

I moved here to escape the cold, don't need ice to remind me....

Only ice we need in The Villages is for our drinks.

Only outdoor rinks allowed

A resident only skateboarding park would be cheaper and I'm sure the local orthopedic medical community, would contribute to build it. I want the rental protective equipment (knee pads, hip pads, gloves, helmets, etc.) concession though. lol

The oldest competitor at the US Figure Skating Adult Nationals is 86. Maybe we can get a rep in TV to challenge that. In the mean time, I’ll keep driving to Maitland but I won’t give up hope.

It’s so sad people think because you move to TV you are too old to enjoy something that you were involved most of your life..

Ice is only slippery if you aren’t on skates, cold only sets in if you are not moving.

We owned hockey pro shops. So countless hours at the shops, and kids traveling teams. Both our boys started skating at 3yo. Came up in the ranks played at the Nationals, then college. Oldest was drafted by Chicago, and coaches girls college team. Both refereed from age of 12 and still skate.

Our daughter started skating at 2, and played hockey until she switched to travel fast pitch softball, at 10

In the summer when the pros were off, we got together for weekly games. Ted Lindsay was on the ice with us until a few years before his death. So old really doesn’t come in the mix.

I was President of MAHA referees of MI for over 20 years. Skated on average 25 hours or more a week. Ice is different in Florida than in the northern states. At last count there were 17 Indoor hockey rinks in Florida. Outdoor does not work well in the south.

However for a rink to survive you need youth hockey, thru high school, and sell 16 hours of ice per day.

Ice skating
 

I do not skate, nor due I want to start. However, it gets old that this site seems to have people that answer, that must be snarky, sarcastic, or they think they are funny.
This is a legitimate idea, there must be an organization as part of the villages organization that could hear this idea, measure the need, cost, amount of participation, and than decide if it is needed.
Not decided by people that are not interested in anything that they do not do themselves.
Give any idea a fair chance, that will make the community as a whole a better place.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms | A Holiday Season Tradition in Florida

If you are missing the ice in the winter and do not want to travel north give the Gaylord Palms Ice shows in Orlando a chance.

A bunch of us Lynnhaven neighbors went about ten years ago around mid- December. You will need a heavy coat, wool socks and gloves.

Well, an ice rink may be too expensive but how about a floor hockey rink? Very cheap to build and maintain and it's great exercise. We have so many people from up north I'll bet we could get a league going. Let's start with something easy and work our way up to an ice rink...in a few years.

ICE Rink
 

Boy, I bet you're happy you asked this question. The only rink I ever saw in Florida was in the Clearwater Mall and that was years ago. You just put the coals on the fire for all the comedians on this site.

There is an ice rink in Orlando. I've been there.

The Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL (AA hockey) play at the Amway Center. Some teams have post-game skates after Sunday matinee games. Check that out if you have the urge to lace up the blades.