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Arcadia Ice Arena
Category: Active Life Skating Rinks Skating Rinks [Edit]
3853 E Thomas RdPhoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 957-9966
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
10 reviews for Arcadia Ice Arena
10 reviews in English
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Review from Dean W.
Phoenix, AZ
9/3/2010
From June to September, this is a great place to escape the heat. You ideally need to bring a sweater and perhaps some gloves to keep you comfortable. When looking for this place, remember it's towards the back of the shopping plaza and is a few retailers East of the Wal-Mart.
+ + +'s = escaping the heat, friendly workers, nice rink, can hold parties. - - - 's = beaten up rental shoes (similar to other rinks and bowling alleys, maybe they sell them like that), not much to do beyond skating (i.e. old video arcade games)
For a skate and an escape from the heat, this is a good place. -
Review from AMber W.
7/11/2009 ROTD 8/31/2009
Last night I learned that I should have applied myself to ice skating at a young age. I am a naturally graceful and beautiful figure skater. I skated backwards, I did twirls and even executed a highly skilled jump, and I have not even been on a pair of skates for sixteen years.
The pro shop did not have gloves, but quickly after getting on the ice I realized that I wouldn't need them because I was going to spend my time upright versus laying on the ice like I had anticipating before realizing how highly skilled of a skater I am.
$8.25 (I think) paid my admission for two hours of skating and got me some sweet rental skates. I really wanted some graceful white ones, but I got brown. Fortunately I had leg warmers to complete my ensemble and tie everything together. Brown has never looked so good with sparkly gray tights before.
There were plenty of places to pop a squat to put on your skates or take a break and they have lockers to stash your shoes and hand bags. It also appears they have a snack bar and vending machines, but I did not partake in any of those offerings.
I did, however, partake in some libations at the Ice House, located at the east end of the rink. I love that my friends and acquaintances sat inside the bar sipping their bourbon watching us skaters from the comfort of their warm seats. I'm certain they were too intimidated by my amazing skating skills to join on the ice.
If you thought THAT was impressive, just you wait... I am going to take lessons and next time we have an ice skating #pfn I will blow all of you away with my triple quadruple axle spin jumps.Listed in: Nothing But the Best
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Review from Robert M.
7/13/2009
One lap around the rink and my feet were cracking! How is it that everyone else around me can strap on a pair of skates and hit the ice without any sign of fear and with confident poise and precision? Unfortunately, I would not be singing the phrase, look mom no hands, during this ice skating field trip as my attempt was a total fail. It's a good thing I had Julia T. at my side to help guide me hand in hand during my 10 min lap. Her calming voice in my left ear reminding not to chip at the ice, glide from side to side, hold your balance, you're doing good, come on you got it, yea right! This was much easier said than done and I was happy to get off the ice after one, full, long, torturous lap around the arena.
So other than my lackluster debut, I'm giving a positive nod to AIA for a few very good reasons. Bringing me in out from the 113 degree heat, a very affordable activity, and for the quick getaway to the Ice House to partake in a before/after refreshment where next time, I'll be skating vicariously through my oh so cool friends. I'll be grinning from spectator box. -
Review from Tim C.
Phoenix, AZ
2/3/2008
http://www.arcadiaice....
I discovered Arcadia Ice Arena after responding to a Craigslist ad looking for a Program Director who knew how to ice skate. I responded, and scheduled an interview with Jim - the owner.
Let me begin by saying by Jim is one of the most inspirational and community-minded people I've ever met - and I've met quite a few. He began working at the arena as a young teen, and continued to do so while he pursued his college degree in Accounting. He went on to play pro hockey, winning a championship, and returned to the arena after a spending a short time as an accountant - because Arcadia Ice Arena means everything to him.
Plain and simple - this place is still open because Jim loves hockey and he knows creative accounting. He pours his heart and soul into this arena, and employs teens that could use a little mentoring. Arcadia is lucky to have him.
Yeah - the facilities are a little rough around the edges but that's hockey. Jim showed me locker room repairs he'd made just a few days prior, explaining to me that its an impossible task to keep kids from smashing hockey sticks into everything; as a former child skater, I can relate wholeheartedly.
Anyway, here's the best part. At the rear of the arena, tucked behind the buildings, is my favorite bar in all of Phoenix. Its a little divey, but its something special. There's a few games, a free-standing fireplace, along with cold beer and an always-friendly bartender. Behind her is a wall of glass, allowing you to watch the action on the rink from your bar stool. I've never seen anything like it, and I guarantee you haven't either. Its a must-visit.
One more thing: Jim is open to any event or gathering that you could possibly dream up. We talked about doing some roller-rink style parties come late spring, so stay tuned! -
Review from Kristina A.
Glendale, AZ
8/3/2010
I am new to ice skating and since I am taking lessons I thought getting as much ice time as I can could only be a good thing. I also figured finding a rink to practice in during public sessions would be easy to do. WRONG! I cannot say how pleased I was to find Arcadia Ice Arena and the wonderful hours they keep.
It was nice to be able to hit the ice yesterday after work and skate for just over two hours for only $8.00 with the skate rentals! That is so inexpenisive especially compared to other rinks that charge double that easily. The ice was not crowded and the staff was very nice. I was very impressed by this rink and will happily return in the future.
This place is a definate do! Bring some quarters though, the lockers do cost 75cents, so you can store your personal belongings.
Great ice and a great time! -
Review from Tim J.
Upland, CA
2/3/2008
I have played hockey here for years.
The facilities are decent and the employees are friendly and helpful, I have become friends with many of them.
The league prices are reasonable, compared to other facilities in town.
There is a decent amount of teams and leagues for all levels.
The game times for league hockey and pick-up hockey can be demanding, late times during the week, some after 10 pm. The priority is public skating and high school hockey. I guess they realize they can get away with it.
The ice is usually pretty good, the locker rooms fairly clean. There is a pro shop with a limited supply of hockey/skating products for sale and the prices are pretty steep.
Never had anything from the snack bar, but they offer items from hot chocolate to nachos.
Kids birthday parties are available as well as private bookings and ice rental. -
Review from Andrew K.
7/13/2009
They didn't have my size in hockey skates, which actually worked out ok b/c the size smaller fit fine. Blades were not sharp, but that's no surprise. Price was entirely affordable. I was a little intrigued that the open skate time was only two hours, fairly early, on a Friday night - obviously this place favors the hockey players, not that I have anything against that at all. Anyway it translated out to a sizeable group of partially drunk Yelpers and Twitterers, a few junior high kids, and families w/ kids. I didn't run anyone over this time, so that was a bonus. Fairly cheap, too (my credit card says $8). I'd do it again, just not all the time. The location looks a little spooky, but it's really not too bad.
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Review from Dan D.
Phoenix, AZ
6/1/2011
I read the reviews and met Jim and must agree that he IS the reason the rink is open and surviving- One heck of a nice guy and pasionate about the rink...must be a throw back to canada, eh? It's not the newest most beautiful rink in town but the one I prefer to skate at. If you ahve not checked it out you should do so
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Review from Jon K.
9/9/2010
Decent ice but no good shinny times. I'd be a much bigger fan if they had evening shinny available, even just once a week.
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Review from John P.
Phoenix, AZ
11/13/2009
This rink has the look and feel of the 1970's, and I mean that in a good way. When I say 1970's, I don't mean disco and other kitsch of the era, I mean it is an older rink, mom and pop operation, before the hockey craze of the 1990's fueled the construction of corporate mega-ice- plexes out in the burbs. I've skated for 30 years at rinks like this in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, so Arcadia is as comfortable to me as a CCM 652 mounted with a 272 Tuuk plus. The skate guards leave you alone to skate as fast as you want, so long as you stay in control. Rinks are communities of sorts, each has its own culture, and like bars, they have their "regulars". I have not spent enough time here to become one of the regulars, but every time I walk in, it feels very comfortable, very familiar, inviting, and sometimes when I look over at the employees manning the skate rental counter I almost expect to see an old friend. I am a former Zamboni operator, skate guard, skate sharpener and I know good ice, Arcadia keeps it just right for hockey and public session skaters, cold hard and dry. I had some of the worst skating experiences of my life at the Alltel Ice Den up in Scottsdale. Alltel is the polar opposite of Arcadia, the ice was wet, the guards allow kids to skate against the flow of traffic, there were candy wrappers on the ice (extremely dangerous) , throngs of people crammed on the rink with no order and the guards who could barely skate themselves busted my balls repeatedly for going too fast. Unbelievable! bottom line, ALLTEL SUCKS AND ARCADIA IS NEAR PERFECT. Arcadia has a cool bar attached with a separate entrance called the Ice House. They have several authentic dart boards for traditional steel tipped darts. A parent can sit at the bar and watch their kids skate without being seen because the windows are heavily tinted and the bar is so much darker than the rink.
