HOUSTON – For many in Houston’s skating community, Memorial City Ice Rink is more than just a place to practice—it’s home.
On Sunday, dozens of figure skaters, hockey players, coaches, and parents gathered at Bendwood Park in Bunker Hill Village, protesting to stop the rink’s planned closure.
“I don’t think people realize how big the community is,” said Amy Good, a hockey parent and coach. “We’ve got figure skaters, hockey players, adults, and kids.”
Chants of “save our rink” echoed through the park as families spoke out about what they stand to lose.
“It’s like a second home to me,” said figure skater Amelia Durham. “It’s just a perfect place and a perfect community.”
Earlier this month, Ice Skate Memorial City announced the rink will permanently close on July 31. Since then, a Change.org petition has gathered more than 6,000 signatures from supporters hoping to reverse the decision.
Many say the closure will impact far more than just those on the ice.
A community beyond skating
For years, the rink has served as a hub for multiple ice sports and a gathering place for families across the Houston area.
“The community is so healthy,” said Will Rassman, a hockey coach and parent. “The different sports that come through—it’s constantly busy.”
Rassman says the rink also plays a key role in supporting surrounding businesses inside Memorial City Mall.
“What is more focused on health and well-being than a rink in the middle of a mall?” said Rassman.
Fewer options in a sprawling city
While some may suggest skaters can simply move to another rink, families say that’s not a realistic solution.
Houston—one of the largest cities in the country—already has a limited number of ice rinks. Families say losing one adds strain to an already stretched system.
“If you’re anywhere near downtown, it’s going to take you at least 40 minutes to get to any other rink,” Rassman said.
For families juggling school, work, and multiple activities, that extra travel time can be a dealbreaker.
And for athletes, not all rinks offer the same opportunities.
“The Galleria is also not regulation size,” said figure skater Mackenzie Nall. “So hockey players can’t play there, and high-level figure skating isn’t possible.”
Concerns about the future of the sport
Some parents and coaches worry the closure could push kids out of skating and hockey altogether.
“I think we’ve already seen that some have said if they don’t have a convenient choice, they’ll go play something else,” said Rassman.
He adds that fewer facilities could also impact the long-term growth of ice sports in Houston.
“Houston has a lot of talent,” Rassman said. “We need places for these kids to practice. The loss of Memorial is a huge blow.”
Memories on the ice
For many young skaters, Memorial City Ice Rink is where they reached milestones and built lifelong friendships.
Skaters said it’s a rink where they accomplished major achievements.
“That’s where I first landed my axel,” said Nall. “Everybody’s support helped me so much.”
Others also said it’s a place they discovered a lifelong passion.
“When I finally made a perfect spin, I was just so happy. I felt like the ice was made for me,” said figure skater Emily Breautigan.
Why rinks are closing nationwide
The Memorial City closure reflects a broader trend across the country.
Ice rinks nationwide have been shutting down due to rising energy costs, aging infrastructure, and redevelopment plans. Recent closures include Valley Ice Center in California and Centre Ice Arena in Delaware.
A spokesperson for MetroNational, the company that owns Memorial City Mall, sent KPRC 2 the following statement:
In November 2025, MetroNational submitted plans for enhancements that included the relocation and construction of the mall’s main entrance. Once this work begins, we will be unable to maintain the required ice conditions, and the ice rink will need to close, permanently. Accordingly, the Memorial City Ice Rink will officially conclude operations on Friday, July 31, 2026.
In light of this timeline, Memorial City Ice Rink will not be accepting registrations for the fall season. The rink will remain open for the remainder of the Spring season (April – June), and Open Skate, Freestyle skate and Learn to Skate programs will continue as scheduled until operations conclude on July 31, 2026.
Although this decision is difficult given that the space has hosted years of memories, this transition allows us to thoughtfully reinvest in the long-term growth of our community and is part of our broader commitment to ensuring our experience offerings align with the needs of West Houston both today and in the years to come.
We are sincerely grateful to the patrons, staff, coaches, user groups and community partners who made the rink a special place over the years. The memories created here will always remain an important part of our community’s story. To ensure the spirit of the rink lives on, all usable equipment from the ice rink will be donated to other rinks and community organizations to support future skaters and programs.
MetroNational remains committed to continued reinvestment and growth in West Houston. With the recent acquisition of CityCentre, M-K-T Heights, and the opening of Greenside later this year, we are continually evolving to deliver the best in retail, dining, and entertainment experiences.
We look forward to sharing future plans for the space in the months ahead.