The 7 Must-Know Secrets Of Wheeling Park Ice Skating For The 2025-2026 Season
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The 2025-2026 Season: Hours, Admission, and Essential Details
The current ice skating season typically runs from late October or early November through early March, with the competitive hockey programs often running from November 2, 2025, to March 8, 2026. The J.B. Chambers Memorial Ice Rink is committed to providing ample public skating opportunities, but it is crucial to check the schedule as ice time is shared with various clubs and leagues.1. Current Public Skating Times (A Weekly Breakdown)
Knowing the public skating times is the single most important detail for planning your visit. The rink is popular, and evening or weekend sessions can get busy. For those seeking lighter traffic, the weekday afternoon sessions are highly recommended, often providing a more relaxed environment perfect for beginners or seniors.- Monday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Friday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM AND 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM AND 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Note: All public skating times are subject to change based on special events, holidays, or private bookings. Always check the official Oglebay Park or Wheeling Park website before you head out.
2. Updated Admission and Skate Rental Prices
The J.B. Chambers Memorial Ice Rink offers affordable admission, making it a budget-friendly activity for families and students. The prices below are based on the latest available information for the current season.- Admission (Ages 3–12): $6.75 per person
- Admission (Ages 13 and Older): $7.75 per person
- Skate Rental: $4.50 per person
For frequent visitors, a season pass is a great investment. Family memberships for the 2024-2025 season were priced at $375.00, offering unlimited public skate access and significant savings over the course of the winter. Be sure to check for any student or group discounts, as the Office of Student Activities has previously partnered with the rink to offer free admission and skate rental deals.
Beyond Public Skating: Programs, Events, and Community Focus
The rink serves as a vital community resource, catering to every level of skater, from toddlers taking their first glide to competitive adult hockey players. The facility is home to several key organizations that drive the region's ice sports.3. Figure Skating and Hockey: The Local Leagues
The J.B. Chambers Memorial Ice Rink is the official home for two major organizations that provide structured lessons and competitive play:- The Wheeling Skate Club: This club is the go-to resource for figure skating lessons, offering instruction for various ages and skill levels. They host events that showcase local talent and help develop future competitive skaters.
- The Ohio Valley Hockey Association (OVHA): The OVHA manages youth hockey leagues and programs, offering a pathway for young athletes to get involved in the sport.
- Little Penguins Program: The rink participates in the Pittsburgh Penguins' Learn to Play initiative, a program specifically designed to introduce children to the fundamentals of ice hockey in a fun, safe environment. The 2025-2026 Little Penguins season is a major highlight.
- Adult Pick-Up Hockey: For the older crowd, the rink regularly schedules adult pick-up hockey sessions, allowing local enthusiasts to enjoy competitive, unstructured ice time.
4. Must-See Special Events: Centennial and Inclusion on Ice
The 2025-2026 season is packed with special events, driven in part by the park’s centennial celebration.- Centennial Ice Skating Spectacular: Keep an eye out for this celebratory event, which has previously featured fun surprises and appearances by local icons like Spike, the Wheeling Nailers' mascot.
- Inclusion on Ice: This annual event is a testament to the rink’s commitment to accessibility. The fourth-annual event allows people of all ability levels to enjoy an afternoon on the ice, often with committed sponsors covering admission and skate rental costs to ensure everyone can participate. This focus on community inclusion makes the Wheeling Park Ice Rink a truly special venue.
The Future of the Rink: A Four-Season Transformation
The most unique and up-to-date information about the J.B. Chambers Memorial Ice Rink is its ongoing transformation into a multi-purpose, four-season facility. This major renovation is changing the face of recreation at Wheeling Park.5. The Rink Becomes a Multi-Sport Venue
The days of the rink sitting empty in the summer are over. The facility is now designed to be flexible, allowing the ice to be removed and the space to be converted for warm-weather activities.- Pickleball Hub: When the winter melts away, the rink transforms into a vibrant pickleball court, offering one of the most popular, fast-paced summer sports.
- Roller Skating/Inline Skating: The versatile surface is also used for roller skating and inline skating, providing year-round skating opportunities. Activity wristbands often include inline skate rental and rink access.
- Major Event Venue: As Wheeling's largest event venue, the space is now capable of accommodating up to 900 guests for non-sporting events, further cementing its role as a community gathering spot.
6. Why the Rink is Called J.B. Chambers Memorial Ice Rink
While often simply called the Wheeling Park Ice Rink, its official name honors J.B. Chambers, a key figure in the community. The original facility, the Memorial Ice Rink, was a significant addition to Wheeling Park when it opened in 1959, transforming the park into a year-round destination. Understanding this history adds a layer of depth to your visit, connecting you to decades of local tradition and recreation.7. The Best Time to Visit for Beginners
If you are new to ice skating or bringing small children, timing is everything. The weekday public skating sessions (Monday–Thursday, 12 PM–3 PM) are consistently the best times to visit. During these hours, the skate traffic is typically much lighter, making it easier to learn, practice, and navigate the ice without the crowds of a Friday or Saturday night session. For parents, remember that children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The rink is an essential part of the Oglebay Park resort experience, offering a perfect winter complement to other park activities like golf, tennis, and the wellness path.Detail Author:
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