Bloomington Ice Garden

The place

Bloomington Ice Garden is the city's indoor ice arena, with multiple rinks under one roof. In a state where hockey is part of everyday life, it is one of Bloomington's busiest community buildings, used by youth associations, high school teams, figure skating clubs, adult leagues and the public.

Events

Expect hockey games and tournaments, figure skating shows and competitions, lessons and public skating sessions. Schedules change weekly through the season; the city's arena information is the place to check.

History in brief

The arena has served Bloomington for decades and has been updated over the years as the city's skating programmes grew. Generations of local players and skaters have learned on its ice.

Visiting with mobility equipment

For spectators, ice arenas present particular challenges: cold air, bleacher seating with steps, and floors that can be wet near the rink entrances. Ask about accessible viewing areas, dress in warm layers and bring a blanket, and take care where skate traffic crosses walkways. Rubber cane tips can slip on wet, sealed concrete.

Watching from the stands

For grandparents and other family members who come to watch, the practical questions are about warmth, seating and distance. Rinks are kept cold, games can run long, and the walk from the car park to the seats may be longer than expected on a busy day. A folding seat cushion, a thermos and a seat near an exit make a long tournament day easier. If stairs in the bleachers are difficult, ask arena staff where step-free viewing is possible before the game starts.

Good to know

• Tournament weekends bring heavy traffic and full car parks.
• A seat cushion makes cold bleachers more bearable.
• Public skating sessions often include times suited to beginners and families.