I've lived in the Bay area for most of my 26 years but, until recently, I was completely unaware of the smattering of ice skating rinks located around town. If you want to join an ice hockey league, learn how to twirl like a figure skater, or simply take a spin out on the ice, please read on.
Ice Sports Forum
10222 Elizabeth Place, Brandon
813-684-7825
www.theicesportsforum.com
This 85,000-square foot facility is the official training site for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and its two NHL-regulation ice rinks are used for U.S.A. hockey programs and figure skating events. The forum also offers: public skating; learn-to-skate sessions; a 10-week figure skating school; freestyle skating sessions; specialty figure skating classes like "Ballet on Ice" and "Intensive Freestyle"; learn-to-play hockey leagues for adults and youths, from beginner to advanced to 35-plus leagues; pick-up games; skill-building clinics; and casual "Shoot n' Skates." The forum also boasts a laser tag arena capable of hosting 36 players at once, a snack café and grill pub, a game room and full-line pro shop.
TBSA — Tampa Bay Skating Academy
Westfield Countryside (aka Countryside Mall)
27001 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater
727-723-7785
www.funleaguegroup.com
The rink is located in the middle of the mall and features public skating; learn-to-skate lessons; a 10-week session basic hockey program; adult- and tots-only skate sessions; a skating school with classes for wannabe skaters of all ages, from tots to seniors; summer camps for the kids; and private figure skating lessons.
TBSA — Tampa Bay Skating Academy
255 Forest Lakes Blvd., Oldsmar
813-854-4010
www.funleaguegroup.com
TBSA-Oldsmar is bigger than its Clearwater counterpart and boasts double the amount of services. The site features two NHL regulation-sized rinks; a coaching staff composed of former college and NHL players, as well as national and international Olympic figure skating champions; hockey leagues, clinics and pick-up games for adults of all ages, and youths beginning at 4 years old; a skating school with more programs than in Clearwater; a full service café; a full-service pro shop; and even an on-site dance studio.
Sunblades Ice Arena
13940 Icot Blvd., Clearwater
727-536-5843
www.sunblades.com
Probably one of the more familiar Bay area rinks, Sunblades presents the public with a cornucopia of skate options: public and freestyle skating opportunities; youth hockey recreation leagues; advanced and intermediate adult hockey leagues; hockey summer camps; basic skills hockey lessons; adult pick-up games; five- and 10-week figure skating classes; and a pro skate shop.
Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex (formerly JP Igloo)
5309 29th St. E., Ellenton
941-723-3663
www.ellentonice.com
You probably won't go to this rink unless you're planning a trip to the outlet mall, but if you do venture out to the 15,000-square-foot site, you'll find: public ice skating and inline skating; youth and high school ice hockey leagues and recreational programs; competitive travel teams; adult ice hockey leagues (beginner, novice, intermediate, New Frontier Hockey League for advanced players, and over-35); youth inline recreational hockey; learn-to-play hockey clinics; adult inline leagues; pairs figure skating school; basic skating skills programs; on-ice technique and off-ice classes; junior/intermediate figure skating programs; a senior skate school; and a fitness center.
This article appears in May 10-16, 2006.