Newbridge Arena keeps the summer ice-cold

Karen Anzalone of Merrick said her daughter Danielle met figure skating coach Aimee Molle of Bellmore at the Newbridge Arena when she was 7 years old. Almost seven years later, Danielle is still skating at the rink with Molle five days a week in order to prepare for competitions – even in the summer.

“When you’re a competitive figure skater, you have to practice year-round,” she said. “We’ve always come to this park.”

Newbridge Arena officials said the Anzalones and other families of figure skaters, hockey players, and lovers of ice sports and activities have turned out in growing numbers in recent months to take advantage of the rink’s summer schedule.

Richard Gardner, the arena’s senior manager, said most South Shore rinks close from April to June. After private owners began leasing the arena from the Town of Hempstead in 1994, new equipment was installed and the rink became open to patrons year-round in 1998.

During the summer, Gardner said, lessons, team practices and other ice activities are ongoing from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Patrons who aren’t competitive athletes can skate during the public sessions from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Gardner said public skating, which is offered four days a week before summer hours take effect in June, was down overall by about 5 percent this year. The decline, however, came primarily in the winter because the weather was milder, he said. By contrast, Gardner said, this summer’s high temperatures brought in more skaters to public sessions.

“It’s very weather dependent,” he said. “This year, it’s been busy because it was a hot and humid summer. We’ve got 40 to 60 people coming to each public session.”

Gardner said that while interest in recreational ice-skating varies, athletes in the figure-skating and hockey communities need an arena like Newbridge to remain open during the summer.

The arena hosts private hockey teams in addition to groups in their intramural “house” league, Gardner said. The league, which has games every Sunday, comprises 12 teams of players ages 5 to 16. Gardner said the Freeport Arrows, Green Machine Icecats and other private teams and adult hockey groups also practice at Newbridge.