As a way to bridge the gap between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is now home to its first ice arena. Lakeland Ice Arena will be offering a variety of programs in figure skating, ice hockey, and public/recreational skating. 

In addition, Lakeland Ice Arena will be home to Florida Southern College’s Men’s Hockey Team who will have their own fan section, The Snakepit. The ice and locker rooms are fully operational in the arena, allowing Florida Southern College’s Men’s Hockey Team to host practice. The arena will be home to both recreational and travel hockey teams. 

Lakeland Ice Arena also holds a partnership with the Tampa Bay Lighting. The Lightning will host programs that teach figure skating, hockey, and outdoor ball hockey.

Public skating for recreational purposes will be open as soon as the bar, restaurant, and lobby buildout is finished. Public skating sessions will happen four times a week: two during the week and two on the weekends. Lakeland Ice Arena is also partnering with high schools to provide skating opportunities after sports games and events. 

The arena’s location used to be a bowling alley, and its history will be preserved as all of the tables and some benches are being built from the wooden lanes. The building’s size allows for various spaces which will include multiple locker rooms, conference/party rooms, food vendors, and more.

To find out more, Lkld Now wrote a deep dive about the Lakeland Ice Arena and its history. Check it out here.