Belmont Park now offering ice skating to all

Those looking for holiday fun will be able to lace up their skates and take to the ice at Belmont Park come Dec. 27 when The Park at UBS Arena opens its 155,800 square foot, season-long outdoor experience with two ice rinks.

A partnership between the New York Islanders, Northwell Health, the New York Racing Association and USA Hockey will bring the experience to life for community members.

The first rink, a sheet of natural ice named the Northwell Pond, will host a series of 4v4 pond hockey tournaments following USA Hockey guidelines and cater to youth and adult divisions at various competitive levels. The second rink, Isles
Pond constructed using synthetic technology by Global Synthetic Ice, will host Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, and Try Hockey for Free programs.

The Learn to Skate program will cost $175 and be held over the course of seven weeks. The program will teach children ages 4 to 10 how to skate throughout the course.

The Learn to Play program will be available for children ages 4 to 9 years old and cost $295. The kids will get to keep the full set of equipment including skates.

The sessions are seven-week programs once a week, with a program available on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. There are 40 spots per session. They will be instructed by New York Islanders amateur hockey coaching staff

Both ponds will host 90-minute public skate sessions, with general admission public skate tickets that start at $20. First responders, military personnel and Islanders season ticket members will receive a 25 percent discount. Skates will be available to rent for $10.

Private ice time reservations can be made for team practice or special events online at TheParkAtUBSArena.com.

Pond hockey tournaments will cost $750 to sign up and people can sign up at The Park’s website. Available session dates are listed online.

The ponds will be overseen by Dan Craig, who was the National Hockey League facilities operations manager for 23 years and was in charge of the ice for more than 30 outdoor NHL games.

The Park will also offer a beer garden adorned with twinkly lights, fire pits and lawn games. Guests will be able to grab a hot chocolate or bring up to a six-pack of cans per person. A beer and alcohol menu will also be available.

There will be a VIP hospitality area featuring six 12-foot wide heated and furnished igloos available. Fans can also play a variety of vintage carnival games to win Islanders-themed prizes and a pop-up Isles lab store will be open for fans to browse before the game. A rotating cast of food trucks will offer various options before games as well.

“The Islanders are proud to be a part of this season’s outdoor Stadium Series and look forward to expanding on this great platform by bringing pond hockey to our backyard,” said Nick Pizzutello, Islanders executive vice president in a news release. “We are excited to give all Islanders fans the opportunity to bring out deep-rooted pregame traditions to UBS Arena.”

Islanders legend Pat LaFontaine will join the opening day festivities on Dec. 27 prior to the Islanders game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He said many players got their start playing pond hockey.

“This is the purest form of the sport and it’s great that this experience is coming to The Park at UBS Arena,” LaFontaine said in a news release.

On Dec. 28 at 1:30 p.m., there will be a try hockey for free event for children ages 4 to 9 years old. Equipment will be provided to borrow for the event. More events will be announced throughout the season.

The Park will additionally offer a pregame experience similar to College Gameday as MSG Networks’ Islanders Pregame Show will broadcast live with host Shannon Hogan and analyst Thomas Hickey. The team will also host watch parties for select road games for fans to come out and cheer on the Islanders.

“The fresh air and energy of the crowd will create an unforgettable atmosphere for Islanders fans hanging out at The Park as well as our viewers,” Hickey said in a release. “I can’t wait.”

“There’s nothing like broadcasting from the crisp outdoors,” Hogan said in a release. “The pregame show from The Park is going to be an incredible experience to be a part of, and I know the fans are going to love it too.”

David O’Rourke, NYRA president and chief executive, said in a news release that community events and activities will play a “central role” at the new Belmont Park.

“This partnership between NYRA and the New York Islanders will advance that mission by providing our neighbors with easy and affordable access to ice skating and hockey in the Belmont Park backyard,” O’Rourke said.

Michael Dowling, president and chief executive of Northwell Health, expressed that the organization is proud to align itself with community health and wellness activities at Belmont Park.