Ice Zone to close for good May 15

Ice Zone to close for good May 15

The Ice Zone, which first opened in Boardman in 1997 and gave rise to youth hockey in the Mahoning Valley, will permanently close on May 15, said William Weimer, vice president of the B.J. Alan Co., which owns the rink.

Weimer said declining revenue at the rink over the years, despite a fervent push to raise interest in winter sports and “tremendous amounts of advertising dollars” to market the rink, was the primary reason to go forward with the decision to shut the doors for good.

The Youngstown Phantoms, who play in the United States Hockey League, and sometimes use the Ice Zone, located at 360 McClurg Road, for practice time will not be affected by the move, Weimer said.

Instead, arrangements will be made for more practice time at the Covelli Centre or at rinks as far away as Canton, Pittsburgh or Kent. Phantoms home games will continue to be played at the Covelli Centre.

Weimer said the May 15 closing date will allow youth hockey teams and other recreational groups to finish their winter seasons and give those groups time during the summer to make other arrangements elsewhere.