Cool as Ice, or Just Skating By?

Eight ways to make use of the maligned Jordan Valley Ice Park

(Splash image photos courtesy Springfield-Greene County Parks)

2007 was a rough year for ice in Springfield. First came January’s ice storm, then, in December, came a scathing audit of city financial practices. Much of the furor focused on Jordan Valley Ice Park which, a half-decade after it opened, still relies on city monies to cover its substantial operation costs.

This means you, the taxpayers, are funding a beautiful building that, if the numbers are to be believed, most of us rarely visit. Why don’t we use it more?
Whatever the reason, ignorance is no longer an excuse: Here’s how to get the most out of your ice park.

Take up hockey

The winter amateur hockey season picks up on January 15, says ice park manager Trey Metzelthin. There are three experience levels, A, B, and C, with C being appropriate for schlubs who only may have strapped on skates once or twice. Which means pretty much all of us. There are also open stick-and-puck sessions, where you can work on your skills. Check the ice park website for hours.

One of the criticisms of hockey is that it’s expensive to play. It’s true: equipment like pads, skates and sticks are pricy and mandatory. League registration is $190, plus a once-a-year additional fee of $35 for insurance. So start savin’ up.

Be a fan

The Missouri State Ice Bears are among the most exciting sports teams in town, and play plenty of games at the ice park. Next up: January 25 against the University of Missouri. See missouristatehockey.com for more information. Also, according to Metzelthin, the Springfield WolfPack indoor football team is planning to call JVIP home for the second year. That season begins in the spring.

Embrace your inner Boitano

Jordan Valley Ice Park also has an active figure skating scene. Coaches are available for private lessons (the park gets a cut of what you pay the coach, for use of facilities). Metzelthin says local figure skaters include little girls who can barely walk, all the way up to people in their 40s.

Just skate

Of course, Jordan Valley Ice Park is always a nice place to just skate around. There are open skating hours every day (see the website for a full schedule), and it’s a good choice for a different winter date or a way to cool off after a Cardinals game in the summer. Open skating is $5.50 for adults, plus $2.50 if you’re renting skates.

Drive a ‘BoniEver wonder what it’s like to drive a Zamboni? Sure you did. Make your wildest dreams come true at the JVIP Zamboni School. During the course of a single morning or afternoon, you’ll learn the history of the ice-smoothing machine, learn to drive it, get your picture taken and you’ll receive a T-shirt. It’s the perfect birthday gift for the dad who has everything.

Pretend you’re at home

Picture your average day at home: TV, video games, shoving your face. Pretty close, right? Jordan Valley Park has all of these comforts. The snack bar—which is usually open during city-sponsored Jordan Valley Park events, too—has candy, hot dogs, sodas and hot drinks, and there are arcade games and a comfortable TV lounge (often tuned to hockey).

Broomball!

All JVIP facilities are available to rent out for events. For $200, your organization can have full access to one of the two ice rinks. For $25 more, you get everything you need for a game of Broomball, a hockey-ish sport played with a mid-sized rubber ball and broom-like apparatuses. It requires no skating—you can wear your shoes on the ice—which we say could make for a splendid fraternity or sorority rush event.

Dress the part

Jordan Valley Ice Park’s pro shop is loaded with equipment, hockey apparel and other odds and ends. Need your skates sharpened? They can do it (though we doubt it’s anything like that old guy’s workshop in The Mighty Ducks). Pro shop hours vary, but generally, if the park is open, so is the shop.

UGO

Jordan Valley Ice Park
635 E. Trafficway
417-866-7444
icepark.org