Because of the unexpected failure of WesBanco Arena’s ice-making system, Wheeling Park Commission officials will open Wheeling Park’s Memorial Ice Rink early to provide the Wheeling Nailers with a temporary practice facility. The team’s season opener is set for Saturday, Oct. 19.
Beginning today, Wheeling Park’s Memorial Ice Rink will serve as the interim practice facility for the Wheeling Nailers, as well as the primary practice facility for a variety of other high school and travel hockey teams in the Ohio Valley.
“Over the past many years, we’ve maintained a strong partnership with the Wheeling Nailers and WesBanco Arena officials,” said Oglebay Park’s Executive Vice President of Operations Rod Haley. “It was our pleasure to lend a hand to our fellow community partners.”
Unusually high temperatures presented unexpected challenges for ice rink employees as they prepared the facility for an early opening, explained Nat Goudy, manager of Wheeling Park.
“Our team members banded together and worked around the clock in 90-degree weather to prepare the ice. The cooler temperatures over the past weekend were a welcome change,” Goudy said.
On Friday, Oct. 11, Wheeling Park’s Memorial Ice Rink will open to the general public for the 2019-20 season, which runs through March 8.
The ice rink will be open to the general public on Mondays, 1-3 p.m.; Tuesdays, noon-3 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m.; Thursdays, noon-3 p.m.; Fridays, 1-3 p.m. and 7:30-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. and 7:30-10 p.m.; Sundays, 1-4 p.m.
General ice skating admission is $6.25 for children ages 3-12 and $7.25 for skaters ages 13 and over. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Skate rental is $4 per person.
Through Oct. 17, guests wishing to purchase a season pass to Wheeling Park’s Memorial Ice Rink will receive a 20 percent discount. Discounted passes may be purchased by calling the Wheeling Park office at 304-243-4185.
Additional information regarding Wheeling Park’s Memorial Ice Rink is available online.
Those interested in figure skating lessons can visit www.wheelingskateclub.org. Information about adult pick-up hockey can be found at www.wvwaha.com.
