The New York Islanders have announced the upcoming opening of The Park at UBS Arena, a 155,800-square-foot season-long, outdoor experience that will introduce the first two public pond hockey rinks to the community.
With UBS Arena located within the heart of historic Belmont Park, The Park aims to take advantage of this unique setting and create something special for hockey fans of all ages, according to an Islanders release. The new amenity was made possible through a partnership with Northwell, the New York Racing Association and USA Hockey.
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The New York Islanders have announced the upcoming opening of The Park at UBS Arena, a 155,800-square-foot season-long, outdoor experience that will introduce the first two public pond hockey rinks to the community.
With UBS Arena located within the heart of historic Belmont Park, The Park aims to take advantage of this unique setting and create something special for hockey fans of all ages, according to an Islanders release. The new amenity was made possible through a partnership with Northwell, the New York Racing Association and USA Hockey.
The first rink, named the Northwell Pond, boasts a sheet of natural ice. It will host a series of four-on-four pond hockey tournaments following USA Hockey guidelines, catering to youth and adult divisions at various competitive levels. The second rink, named the Isles Pond, will host Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, and Try Hockey for Free programs. These community programs cater to a wide range of age groups and skill levels, aiming to grow the sport of hockey by making it accessible for everyone.
In addition to the two outdoor rinks, The Park at UBS Arena will offer guests a wide range of activities to entertain the family or enjoy with friends.
- BeerGarden: Between the two rinks will sit an outdoor Beer Garden adorned with twinkly lights, fire pits, and lawn games. Guests can warm up with hot chocolate or BYOB up to a 6-pack of cans per person, and look forward to a growing on premise beer and alcohol menu. This will be the place to be before Islanders games.
- VIP Igloo Garden: VIP hospitality area featuring six 12-foot wide heated and furnished igloos for added comforts.
- Fan-Centric Activations: Guests can play a variety of vintage carnival games and win fun Islanders-themed prizes.
- Isles Lab Swag Shack: The Islanders will open a pop-up Isles Lab store, where guests can gear up or bundle up before game time with Islanders, Stadium Series and The Park apparel.
- Food Trucks: Rotating food trucks will offer guests a diverse culinary experience at fan friendly prices.
Ninety-minute public skate sessions will also be offered on both ponds. General admission public skate tickets start at $20. Discounts of 25 percent will be available for first responders and military personnel, courtesy of Northwell. Islanders season-ticket customers will also receive a 25 percent discount. Skate rentals will be available for guests along with lockers to store personal belongings. Private ice time reservations are also available for team practices or special events.
Dan Craig, who was the NHL Facilities Operations Manager for 23 years and in charge of the ice for more than 30 NHL outdoor games, is overseeing the ponds for the Islanders. The Isles Pond will be constructed using synthetic technology created by Global Synthetic Ice, ensuring season-long accessibility.
“The Islanders are proud to be part of this season’s outdoor Stadium Series game and look forward to expanding on this great platform by bringing pond hockey to our backyard,” said Islanders executive vice president Nick Pizzutello. “We are excited to give all Islanders fans the opportunity to bring our deep-rooted pregame traditions to UBS Arena.”
“We are proud to align ourselves with community health and wellness activities at Belmont Park,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell. “A person’s community can have a major impact on their health and well-being and The Park at UBS Arena allows us to reinforce our commitment to serving our community by providing a space for children and adults to be active and healthy.”
“So many of us players got our start playing pond hockey,” said Islanders great Pat LaFontaine, who will join the Opening Day festivities on Dec. 27 prior to the Islanders game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. “This is the purest form of the sport and it’s great that this experience is coming to The Park at UBS Arena.”
“Community events and activities will play a central role at the new Belmont Park,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “This partnership between NYRA and the New York Islanders will advance that mission by providing our neighbors with easy and affordable access to ice skating and hockey in the Belmont Park backyard. We’re excited to help grow this new initiative and look forward to welcoming kids and families to The Park later this month.”
“It’s exciting to see the outdoor rinks the Islanders are building,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “There’s nothing quite like playing hockey outside and the two rinks will not only provide a great opportunity for players of all ages to create lasting memories, but also to introduce new families to hockey. The Islanders continue to be great partners with USA Hockey in efforts to showcase and grow our game and this is a unique initiative that will no doubt have a positive impact.”
Additional partners of The Park include Acrisure, Fastenal and Valor Hockey.
For Islanders home games, The Park will offer fans a special pregame experience. Similar to College Gameday, MSG Networks’ Islanders Pregame Show will broadcast live with host Shannon Hogan and analyst Thomas Hickey. The team will also host watch parties for select road games so fans can come out and cheer.
“The Park at UBS Arena will be an amazing experience for Islanders fans and we are excited to showcase it to viewers watching our coverage on MSG Networks,” said Kevin Marotta, senior vice president content and marketing for MSG Networks. “It will also be a great opportunity for MSG Networks and the Islanders to interact with fans and advertising partners this winter.”
“There’s nothing like broadcasting from the crisp outdoors,’’ said Hogan. “The pregame show from The Park is going to be an incredible experience to be a part of, and I know the fans are going to love it too.”
“The fresh air and energy of the crowd will create an unforgettable atmosphere for Islanders fans hanging out at The Park as well as our viewers,” added Hickey. “I can’t wait.”
