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Skating with local leadership

Fredericksburg Ice Park has changed management, but the rink is not closing

By PORTSIA SMITH

Date published: 7/1/2004

By PORTSIA SMITH New management plans park updates

Despite rumors that Fredericksburg Ice Park is closing its doors, the ice rink in Uptown Central Park has new management and will stay open with hopes of improving its services.

The ice park "has seen a lot of changes and other places around it go, but we're still committed," said Rob Boyle, the new general manager and hockey director.

The rink, which caters to skaters of all ages and ability levels, came to the area in 1999 as the first tenant of Uptown Central Park.

Charlottesville-based D&R Development built the 40,000-square-foot facility that includes a rink, viewing areas, party rooms, shop and snack bar. The rink alone measures 200 feet by 85 feet, about the dimensions of a regulation-size National Hockey League rink.

But D&R Development split in 2002 and the two owners, Lee Danielson and Colin Rolph, went their separate ways. Danielson is still the owner of Fredericksburg Ice Park.

After that, Iceoplex--a California-based management firm--ran the business for two years until last February. Boyle took over as general manager in May.

Customers mentioned their concern that the rink was closing, but Boyle said that's not the case.

"It's declined over the years," he said. "[But] the owner is committed to keeping the place open."

Danielson, who currently lives in California, could not be reached for comment.

Now that the rink is managed locally, things have become a little easier and improvement plans are in the works.

"Before, everything was run out of California, so it was hard to get decisions made in a timely manner," said administrative assistant Cherie Hitt.

Boyle said that since he has taken over, he sees things that he'd like to improve "from mechanical stuff to programs."

He didn't say specifically what types of programs he plans to add, but did say he wants to be able to offer more to the community.

An exhausted Melissa Watson, 19, of Orange, sat on the sideline after ice skating for the first time Tuesday. Her 11-year-old brother, Tyler Ames of Stafford, has a little more experience on the ice, and had fun skating circles around her just minutes earlier.

Although it takes more effort than roller skating, Watson said, ice skating is a lot more fun.

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Date published: 7/1/2004