The only operational ice rink in The Bronx has been renovated and reopened on Nov. 20 at Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in Castle Hill. 

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson later said of the opening, “Congratulations to Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club for opening a new ice skating rink at its Castle Hill Clubhouse, the only ice skating rink in our borough for our children, youth and families.”

 

According to information shared on the website of Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, as a part of the Frederic R. Coudert Sports Complex, the ice skating rink provides professionally trained staff and visiting coaches that feature individuals with over 15 years of professional experience of ice skating.

 

The rink is managed by ASAC Management, who, according to Kips Bay, has over 30 years of ice skating management and has specialists from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds offering expert training techniques.

Representatives for Kips Bay wrote on Dec. 2, “Join us this winter season for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Community Skate, starting next Saturday, December 9th! As the only ice rink in the Bronx, we strive to provide for the community a fun and safe environment for children and their families to ice skate at an affordable cost. The ice rink is located at our Lucile Palmaro Clubhouse in Soundview and is open through the end of March.” ⠀
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The age range for those allowed on the ice rink (during program hours) is 6-18. Click here to view a recent report on the ice rink reopening by News 12 The Bronx. 

 

Prior long-term plans to convert the Kingsbridge Armory into a national ice center were later shelved following a legal dispute with the City over financing for the project. As reported, NYC Economic Development Corporation is currently accepting Requests for Proposals for the development of the Kingsbridge Heights-based armory. The deadline to apply is Jan. 18, 2024, at 11.59 p.m. For more information, visit https://edc.nyc/kingsbridge-armory-redevelopment-rfp.

 

For more information on the Kips Bay ice rink, residents can contact athletics director, Darril Almonte, on darril.amonte@kipsbay.org or visit https://www.kipsbay.org/icerink. The rink is not operated by NYC Parks.

 

Meanwhile, NYC Parks provides the following important ice safety guidelines:

• Never go on frozen waters.
• Parents and caregivers should make sure children are never unattended near ice.
• If you hear cracking, lie down immediately to try to distribute your weight.
• If you witness someone falling through ice, never attempt to make a rescue by yourself. Call 911 and notify the proper authorities. Be sure to give the exact location and an account of the incident.