Ice Arena Reopens After Sandy-Related Repairs

With the approach of summer, Long Beach residents can once again cool off at the Long Beach Ice Arena.    

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The 32,500-square-foot arena, located at West Bay Drive at Magnolia Boulevard, officially reopened its doors Saturday after it sustained damages during Hurricane Sandy and underwent $300,000 in repairs.   

The facility’s new features include a refrigeration system, electrical upgrades, an ice-resurfacing machine, and about 15,000 square feet of heavy-duty rubber flooring around the NHL-sized rink, according to Newsday. Said Councilwoman Eileen Goggin about the city-owned arena:

"It is a big part of the community. It is great for people who need a break from the beach or the pool. It's a place to come to in the summer."

After the storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency set up a recovery center at the ice arena, which also served as a distribution center of everything from food to clothing to household items for the storm-ravaged community.

In February, the New York Rangers, the NHL team that held practices at the 800-seat arena during the 1970s, and Chase bank donated $25,000 donation toward rebuilding the facility.

Prior to Sandy, the city had plans to hire a firm to manage the arena, purchase its naming rights, or partner with the city to renovate the facility.  

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