Houston's Memorial City Mall Ice Rink to stay open until removal in December

HOUSTON - The MetroNational announced Wednesday that Memorial City Ice Rink will remain open past its original close date July 31. [Click2Houston]

HOUSTON — An ice rink slated for permanent closure will now remain operational through the holiday season, reversing an earlier decision after sustained community pressure and advocacy efforts.

Memorial City Ice Rink, operated by Sports Facilities Companies under MetroNational management, had been scheduled to shut its doors on July 31. When that closure was initially announced in April, officials cited upcoming construction at Memorial City Mall that would render it impossible to maintain the facility's ice conditions. The announcement included plans to donate any functional equipment to other skating venues and community organizations supporting ice sports programs.

The postponement came after grassroots opposition to the closure. Community groups gathered signatures on a petition to save the rink and testified before Houston City Council, urging municipal officials to either prevent the closure or help finance a replacement facility. The vocal response demonstrated the rink's importance to families and athletes throughout the region.

MetroNational President Scooter Hicks acknowledged the outpouring of support in a statement released this week. "The response from our community made it clear how much this rink means to Houston families. We're pleased to give families the opportunity to enjoy the rink for the fall season," Hicks said.

The extended schedule will now accommodate full fall and winter programming through December 14. Skaters can continue participating in standard offerings including open skate sessions, freestyle skating instruction and learn-to-skate classes. Additionally, the facility will accept new registrations for in-house hockey teams for the upcoming season, with SFC coordinating game schedules and playoffs through February 2027 with other regional rinks.

The Houston Ice Sports Coalition, a nonprofit organization encompassing the region's hockey and figure skating communities, is separately pursuing long-term solutions. The organization is actively recruiting philanthropic partners, major donors and government entities to support its mission of preserving skating opportunities for Houston.

Sports Facilities Companies confirmed that skaters with unused or prepaid sessions after December 14 will receive full refunds, with details to be communicated directly to affected patrons.