Blades Of New Glory

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation And Prince George’s County Announce Reopening of Tucker Road Ice Rink

By Tiffany Young // PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICIA ADAMS

A two-alarm fire in 2017 closed the doors to southern county’s only ice rink; Tucker Road Ice Rink. Now, the Department of Parks and Recreation, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), is proud to reopen the newly redesigned facility in Fort Washington, MD.

The 48,860 square feet space will be used for indoor community programs, ice-skating recreation, figure skating, and ice hockey. The redesign brought in a National Hockey League-sized ice rink with seating bleachers for up to 350 spectators. Other amenities inside include, a flexible classroom/party room, a vending café snack bar, a dance studio, a skate rental space, six locker rooms, two officials’ changing rooms, and a family restroom/changing area. The new rink also includes a ceiling-mounted “dual-rotation training skate jump harness” for figure skating jump practice on the ice rink. 

The reopening of Tucker Road Ice Rink gained much support from the community and county officials. “The Commission was thrilled to collaborate with the community, elected officials, and many stakeholders to design and build a facility that offers the best programs and services for all users,” said Elizabeth M. Hewlett, Chairman of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Prince George’s County Planning Board.

“The NEW Tucker Road Ice Rink is another jewel for Prince George’s County and is an excellent example of community input at work, providing space for experienced and novice users to recreate and create more memories for years to come.” 

Further, the new replacement rink has been designed with expansion capability for an approximately 31,110 gross square foot addition in the future that can include a second 26,220 net square feet sheet of ice, four locker rooms, a fitness room, and support spaces as desired should expansion occur.

“We are thrilled to reopen the new and improved Tucker Road ice Rink to our residents, following 2017’s unfortunate fire”, said Director Bill Tyler. “We look forward to welcoming patrons back to this state-of-the-art facility that will provide fun, safe activities for the Fort Washington community and beyond.”