After Fort Dupont Ice Arena renovation, some skaters and hockey programs say access has shrunk

Fort Dupont Ice Arena is back open after a nearly $39 million renovation, but some longtime users say getting on the ice has become more difficult under the facility’s new operating model. Related stories ‘Quad God’ shares gold medal message with DC students ‘It probably saved my life’: DC residents share what Fort Dupont Ice Arena means to them It’s ‘Ice Ice Baby’ in DC’s Ward 7 thanks to $39M ice arena The rink, the District’s only indoor ice arena, reopened in December following years of construction and is now operated by D.C. Parks and Recreation, which took over management of the facility after Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena had operated it for decades.

While the nonprofit no longer operates the rink, Executive Director Margo Przyby said it still runs youth skating and hockey programs and has been unable to secure enough ice time at Fort Dupont to bring those programs back to the facility. “We haven’t been able to secure any ice this summer, which is what led us back to Capitol Clubhouse and the fall is still up in the air,” Przyby said. That rink is in Waldorf, Maryland, which is an hour away from their old home and she said busing students from the city to Waldorf costs about $3,000 a month.

Fort Dupont Ice Arena is located in Southeast D.C. (WTOP/Mike Murillo) WTOP/Mike Murillo The rink, the District’s only indoor ice arena, reopened in December following years of construction and is now operated by D.C. (WTOP/Mike Murillo) WTOP/Mike Murillo Some longtime users say getting on the ice has become more difficult under the facility’s new operating model.

(WTOP/Mike Murillo) WTOP/Mike Murillo (1/3) Share This Gallery: Share This: share on facebook share on X share on threads share on linkedin share on email print D.C. Titans Hockey Club President Michele Vaughn said the organization has been unable to secure the regular ice time needed to plan an upcoming season. “Without Fort Dupont reopening its doors to us, we have not been able to secure regular weekly ice for both practices and games for the upcoming season,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said limits on advance scheduling make it difficult for youth hockey organizations to lock in the weekly ice time needed to organize practices, games and league play months in advance. Parents say the situation is creating additional burdens for families. Ward 7 resident Lora Nunn said many children who want to continue s…