[kitnhead]

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.

[dewilson58]

The rink will be right next to the new Costco.

[MDLNB]

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

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by kitnhead

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.

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

[Orvil]

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.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by kitnhead

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.

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.

[billethkid]

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

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Orvil

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.

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

[Bogie Shooter]

Just to save doc the trouble.

[Taltarzac725]

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

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by kitnhead

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.

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.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

The rink will be right next to the new Costco.

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.

[Number 10 GI]

Originally Posted by Orvil

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



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

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

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

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

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

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

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.

Mmm, about same as one golf course