Dozens gathered in Bunker Hill Village to protest the planned closure of Memorial City Ice Rink, saying the loss would impact not just skaters—but families, businesses, and the future of ice sports in Houston.
Spring caretaker arrested after allegedly leaving disabled adults without supervision for hoursTeenager shot at N Houston apartment complex; 14-year-old suspect detainedMajor car crash shuts down intersection in Klein area, causing significant delays– For many in Houston’s skating community, Memorial City Ice Rink is more than just a place to practice—it’s home.
On Sunday, dozens of figure skaters, hockey players, coaches, and parents gathered at Bendwood Park in Bunker Hill Village, protesting to stop the rink’s planned closure. “I don’t think people realize how big the community is,” said Amy Good, a hockey parent and coach. “We’ve got figure skaters, hockey players, adults, and kids.” Chants of “save our rink” echoed through the park as families spoke out about what they stand to lose. “It’s like a second home to me,” said figure skater Amelia Durham. “It’s just a perfect place and a perfect community.”For years, the rink has served as a hub for multiple ice sports and a gathering place for families across the Houston area. “The community is so healthy,” said Will Rassman, a hockey coach and parent. “The different sports that come through—it’s constantly busy.” Rassman says the rink also plays a key role in supporting surrounding businesses inside Memorial City Mall.While some may suggest skaters can simply move to another rink, families say that’s not a realistic solution. Houston—one of the largest cities in the country—already has a limited number of ice rinks. Families say losing one adds strain to an already stretched system. “If you’re anywhere near downtown, it’s going to take you at least 40 minutes to get to any other rink,” Rassman said. For families juggling school, work, and multiple activities, that extra travel time can be a dealbreaker.“The Galleria is also not regulation size,” said figure skater Mackenzie Nall. “So hockey players can’t play there, and high-level figure skating isn’t possible.”Some parents and coaches worry the closure could push kids out of skating and hockey altogether. “I think we’ve already seen that some have said if they don’t have a convenient choice, they’ll go play something else,” said Rassman.“Houston has a lot of talent,” Rassman said. “We need places for these kids to practice. The loss of Memorial is a huge blow.”For many young skaters, Memorial City Ice Rink is where they reached milestones and built lifelong friendships.“That’s where I first landed my axel,” said Nall. “Everybody’s support helped me so much.”“When I finally made a perfect spin, I was just so happy. I felt like the ice was made for me,” said figure skater Emily Breautigan.The Memorial City closure reflects a broader trend across the country. Ice rinks nationwide have been shutting down due to rising energy costs, aging infrastructure, and redevelopment plans. Recent closures include Valley Ice Center in California and Centre Ice Arena in Delaware. A spokesperson for MetroNational, the company that owns Memorial City Mall, sent KPRC 2 the following statement: In November 2025, MetroNational submitted plans for enhancements that included the relocation and construction of the mall’s main entrance. Once this work begins, we will be unable to maintain the required ice conditions, and the ice rink will need to close, permanently. Accordingly, the Memorial City Ice Rink will officially conclude operations on Friday, July 31, 2026. In light of this timeline, Memorial City Ice Rink will not be accepting registrations for the fall season. The rink will remain open for the remainder of the Spring season , and Open Skate, Freestyle skate and Learn to Skate programs will continue as scheduled until operations conclude on July 31, 2026. Although this decision is difficult given that the space has hosted years of memories, this transition allows us to thoughtfully reinvest in the long-term growth of our community and is part of our broader commitment to ensuring our experience offerings align with the needs of West Houston both today and in the years to come. We are sincerely grateful to the patrons, staff, coaches, user groups and community partners who made the rink a special place over the years. The memories created here will always remain an important part of our community’s story. To ensure the spirit of the rink lives on, all usable equipment from the ice rink will be donated to other rinks and community organizations to support future skaters and programs. MetroNational remains committed to continued reinvestment and growth in West Houston. With the recent acquisition of CityCentre, M-K-T Heights, and the opening of Greenside later this year, we are continually evolving to deliver the best in retail, dining, and entertainment experiences.Heavy rain turns Highway 288 in Houston into riverDefense challenges inappropriate relationship charges for former Goose Creek CISD counselorInside Texans' Will Anderson Jr. NFL record 150 million deal4-month-old dead at apartment complex in west HoustonHow to save 20% at Blushington, River Oaks's newest beauty barHouston postpones special City Council meeting as state deadline on funding dispute extendedPastor’s daughter shot arriving home from church; boyfriend uses car to stop suspected shooterMagnolia mayor arrested, charged with felony assault of pregnant womanTroy Finner hired as Missouri City Police Chief nearly 2 years after HPD scandal, retirementHere's why lovebugs are EVERYWHERE in Houston!
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