ice rinks near Ft.Drum (New York, Syracuse: school, college, restaurant)

[SouthernBelle3]

Are there any good ice rinks near Ft.Drum that have open freestyle sessions for non-members? My daughter is a former USFSA skater and would like to practice her moves, but all the rinks she called seem to be exclusive as to who can skate open freestyle. In Florida, where she skated, there were open sessions where one did not have to be a club member to skate. She can't really afford to belong to the USFSA or take lessons this year, but would still like to keep her skills up. She is an adult skater now, and would prefer ISI over USFSA. Is ISI big in New York, because it was popular in Florida when she skated? On her budget, ISI would be more affordable. Thanks for any help.

[Sgoldie]

Don't know if this would help her but Oswego (about an hour away to the south) has two city owned ice skating rinks, one of the east side of town and the other on the west side. They're only open in the winter season though they're both indoors. The college also just opened a state of the art brand new rink and arena right in the middle of campus.

In Gananogue, across the border in Canada, I know they have a rink they use for curling. Can't tell you much more about it. There's always Lake Placid's Olympic Village for a weekend trip.

[iluvfrank]

Watn. has a Rink at the Fairgrounds, it would be closest to Ft. Drum City of Watertown NY Ice Arena (http://www.watertown-ny.gov/parks/prarena.html - broken link) They offer Figure, Hockey & Public skating. Not sure about open Freestyle?

Another close rink is: Bonnie Castle Year Round Resort Click on Rec Center, Its about 25 minutes N. of Ft. Drum. Nhl regulation size, attached viewing area with restaurant. Ice can be soft, Colder days its better. Its in Alex Bay. Its never busy, we go during Public skating hrs. and sometimes maybe 5 to 10 people are on the ice.

Alex bay has another Municipal rink, coldest in the County they have one of the best Precision Skating Teams around called the Crystalletes (sp?) Its used mostly for school events. You could call and ask them about skating at Alexandria Bay Municipal Arena, Alexandria Bay (315) 482-9360

Clayton also has a nice rink, 30 minutes or so N. of Drum, Clayton Recreation Park – East Line Rd, Clayton (315) 686-4310

Then of course Syracuse has quite a few, one nice one is Cicero Twin Rinks, its open year round and about an hour from Watertown. Easy access from I-81 just N of Syracuse. Cicero Twin Rinks

Hope she finds something that works for her