The “COOLEST” PLACE IN TOWN – East Alton Ice Arena Serves the Area with Top-Notch Facilities and Programs

By Tara L. Simmons

There is a hidden gem in East Alton that many may not be aware of – The East Alton Ice Arena – literally the “coolest” place in town! For nearly three decades, this arena has been the heart of ice sports in the area, offering a place for families, athletes, and enthusiasts to come together and enjoy the thrill of skating and hockey.

But the East Alton Ice Arena is not just a sports facility; it is a cherished landmark that has witnessed countless firsts – first skates, first goals, and first wins. It continues to be a vibrant part of the community, fostering a love for ice sports and providing a venue for creating lasting memories.

The arena’s rich history includes hosting numerous memorable events, from local hockey tournaments to figure skating competitions and community ice skating nights. Over the years, it has been the training ground for many aspiring athletes, some of whom have gone on to achieve national recognition.

Originally constructed in 1995 as a modest facility, the East Alton Ice Arena has undergone several renovations to keep up with the growing demand and advancements in ice sports technology.

East Alton Ice Arena believes in creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone can enjoy the enchanting world of ice skating. It’s the ultimate destination for fun-filled, family-friendly ice-skating experiences. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skater, the spacious rink is the perfect place to glide, spin, and make unforgettable memories with friends and family.

East Alton Ice Arena is home to organizations such as the East Alton Skating Academy – a member of US Figure Skating. Their focus is to encourage the development of figure skaters and provide a safe and fun skating environment. Another organization that calls East Alton Ice Arena home is Twin Bridges Hockey Association. Twin Bridges Lightning (TBL) is a volunteer, not-for-profit, youth hockey organization. Their primary goal is to teach up-and-coming youth players the game of hockey. By learnings and enjoying the game of ice hockey, children not only develop skills for the game, but skills for life as well. Both organizations run practices and other events at the arena. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and many of the local high school teams play their games at the arena as well.

But don’t think East Alton Ice Arena is just for ice sports. They offer a plethora of special events and theme nights such as family skate, teen night and more. They are always spicing things up with music, games and prizes. But you don’t have to wait until a special event to skate – the arena is open daily, though they do have hockey practice, games and other events scheduled on the ice, so it would be wise to call ahead to make sure the ice is available. The arena is also a great place to host a birthday party, corporate outing or other special event. Customizable party packages are available and according to arena manager Larry Thatcher, they have the best prices in the area on party packages. It’s a great place for a school or corporate field trip too.

Admission to the arena is $6.00 and skate rental is $3.00. Group rates are available for parties. “What many people don’t know is that the East Alton Ice Arena is owned by the Village of East Alton and is actually a 501(c)3 non-profit organization,” Larry explained. “All money made from the rink, concession stand, and pro shop go to keep the arena open, operating and available for the community’s use. That’s why our prices are lower than anyone: rentals, concessions and items in the pro shop.”

Larry and his wife Paula efficiently manage and operate the facility with help from Katie McKeon. Don’t know how to skate? They offer learn-to-skate classes. They also have broom ball, especially popular for birthday parties with younger children. This is literally what it sounds like. The kids get on the ice without skates and use brooms and a ball to play a variation of hockey.

Other scheduled activities include hockey stick and puck times for both adults and children and hockey leagues. There is even a senior co-ed hockey league! Something very unique at East Alton Ice Arena is their Zamboni driving school. “It’s not an accredited or certified school,” explained Katie, “It’s more like a bucket list thing. The participants take a one-hour course and then get to take 3-4 laps around the arena on the Zamboni. They leave with a certificate of completion and a t-shirt that says, ‘I Learned to Drive the Zamboni at East Alton Ice Arena’.”

It’s estimated that less than 1% of the population has ever driven a Zamboni and the opportunity to do so is scarce. “We’ve had people come from Indiana, Georgia and even Colorado to drive the Zamboni,” Larry added.

Gift certificates for driving the Zamboni are available and one time the arena even had a Zamboni driving Mother’s Day brunch event!

The pro shop at the arena is amazing as well. In addition to selling hockey and skating equipment and accessories, they have the ability to customize apparel like shirts and jerseys – great for sports teams. They offer tumblers, sports bags, and a variety of sports related items, and offer services like skate sharpening and sports equipment repair.

“Since we are a non-profit, we have great pricing on everything in the pro shop. We also offer Sparx sharpeners and accessories in-house and can special order if you need something we don’t have in stock,” Paula added.

Don’t play hockey? Don’t figure skate? Don’t skate at all? Don’t want to learn how to skate? Could care less about driving a Zamboni? Larry says, “If you haven’t watched a hockey game up close and personal, you don’t know what you’re missing!”

East Alton Ice Arena is committed to serving the community with top-notch facilities and programs. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a newcomer to the ice, their doors are always open for you to join in the fun and excitement. Their well-maintained rink, state-of-the-art sound system, and dynamic lighting ensure an unforgettable experience for skaters of all ages and skill levels. Follow them on Facebook for information on upcoming events and activities, including Skate with Santa.

East Alton Ice Arena is located at 631 Lewis and Clark Blvd in East Alton. They are open daily. For more information visit eastaltonicearena.org or follow them on Facebook. To inquire about available skate times or to schedule a party, group activity or field trip, call

618-254-7465. You can also contact them via email: [email protected].