Sprawling ice skating center opens near Tampa

Construction work at the Florida Hospitals Home Ice complex near Tampa
Construction work at the Florida Hospitals Home Ice complex near Tampa

A developer in Tampa has opened what may be the largest ice skating facility in the Southeast. The five-rink Florida Hospital Center Ice complex has three rinks that match the standard size in the National Hockey League, one Olympic-size rink and a junior rink.

Gordie Zimmerman, managing partner of developer Z Mitch, LLC, told the Tampa Bay Times that Florida’s hot climate will be good for the Florida Hospital Center Ice complex, which conducted a soft opening  Jan. 25.

In northern locations, ice rinks commonly close for summer, but the Florida Hospital Center Ice complex in Wesley Chapel, a northern suburb of Tampa, will remain open. “Here, people skate to get out of the heat.,” Zimmerman told the newspaper.

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He also told the Times that the ice skating complex will serve as home ice of the hockey team at the University of South Florida. The owner also plans to market the facility as a location for hockey games and tournaments as well as special events.

The late stages of construction of the Tampa-area ice skating complex are ongoing. Upon completion, the $22.5 million property will feature a gym, snack bar, full restaurant and bar, and a pro shop, among other amenities. [Tampa Bay Times]Mike Seemuth