Cass Park, Rink, and Pool — Attraction in City of Ithaca

The process of scheduling a birthday party at Cass Park Ice Rink is extremely outdated and a headache for all. I hope that this review (and feedback given directly to the ice rink team) helps them to improve. I enjoy this ice rink and think it is an asset to our community. They need to make the experience easier so they can stay alive as a business.

I filled out a form online to request a group, and did not hear back. After 8 days, I called the ice rink front desk person and asked to schedule a group session for a birthday party. I had chosen a day where ICSD was off of school, since I know that the rink doesn't allow groups on weekends. The person told me that they don't do group rates when ICSD is off of school, and since they don't do weekend group rates, the only option was Saturday starting at 8:30pm. This doesn't work for young children.

I asked him what do "normal" people do to schedule birthday parties, since based on this information, my child and their friends (& parents) would need to skip school/work for a party since group sessions are only available during school hours, or immediately after school when kids are in activities & parents are still working. I also offered to pay regular price (not group rate) for a session of my choosing, but the employee said I couldn't pre-pay to reserve 20 spots; instead all of my guests would need to go through the "individual registration" process, which they are not guaranteed a spot if enough other skaters in the community fill out the form and use up all 120 slots. The employee had no answer at all to what a "normal" person with a normal school & work schedule should do to schedule a party. When I voiced my confusion and asked this person to communicate this to their superiors, this person really took it personally.

Thankfully I was routed to another competent employee who made an "exception to the rules" so that the party could take place on an ICSD day off. But I'm still disappointed that it was such a big deal to schedule a party at a time that made logistical sense, especially since I offered to pre-pay the non-group full price rate, and they still were not able to reserve slots...

After a visit this past weekend to the rink for a fun skating day with my family i was left with a feeling of disappointment, not because if the skating, not because of the rink time, and not because of the cost. I was disappointed with the customerservice at the register, the kid look at me and said how it was going to cost alot and it was very pricey for a family of four, his tone was snooty,,this was done btw in front of my teens. He still was this way even when I stated we needed to rent skates, and how I don't visit the rink enough for the other registration to even pay off. The kids behind the counter seemed rude to others as well and this was more so when turning in the skates. The 2 guards often stayed together racing around the rink or chatting on thier cells, they also disnt enforce rules posted at entrance of the rink. I saw children being...

So we came to the pool on vacation, it was $20 for two "unregistered" adults (aka outta towners it seems) and we settled in to some lounge chairs. Within maybe 10 minutes, thunder was heard and they called everyone out of the pool- kinda mad that this happened. One of the guys was kind enough to stop us as we were walking out and offered us passes for the next day considering we didn't get to swim the first time- that completely surprised us and made me say this place is worth...