Frank Southern Ice Arena — Local services in Bloomington

The staff here are extremely friendly. I skate here regularly and pay the $9 admission fee (including skate rental) [$6 if you have your own skates.] I recently bought my own pair of skates and brought them in for sharpening. My card was not reading on the scanner after a few attempts and they just said not to worry about it. The staff let me in for free and even sharpened my new skates at no charge. They definitely did not need to do that (I had cash) but they did and I appreciated it. Most of the people who skate here are on a relatively beginner level which relieves a lot of pressure for people who are learning or afraid of falling. I would love it if they cleaned the ice more often. During a busy 2-hr skate session they will clean the ice at the half way point, but some days when the 2-hr session isn't busy they won't clean the ice. It can be tough to skate when the ice gets pretty rough and choppy. Also, the rentals are, well, rentals. They aren't the greatest. Blades and relatively dull and comfort is hit or miss as so many feet have been in them. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing your own pair of skates, even if they are entry level. You will have a much more comfortable time and learn easier. It's great fun, I highly recommend Frank...

This is the worst rink I have ever visited! After paying to skate, they told me that all skaters are required to keep TWO feet on the ice at all times. You're not even allowed to practice 3turns or stroking, even tho you are literally the only person on the ice! I was there for only two minutes and they refused to refund my money, even though they did not inform me of their TWO-feet policy until after I'd already paid! They said I had to call the manager to get a refund!! I paid with cash!! What are they going to do? Mail me the money?? I have skated at multiple rinks across the country, I have NEVER visited a rink with a policy that requires two feet on the ice at all times. I will be telling EVERYONE I know (public skaters, hockey players, and figure skaters) to STAY AWAY from this rink! It's horrible! They steal your money and won't let you skate! I left a message for the manager, but I very much doubt she will contact me. I can tell everyone at this rink is on a "power trip" and does not care at all about how they treat their customers! No wonder the Bloomington figure skating club skates in Columbus (ONE HOUR DRIVE AWAY!!) just to avoid this...

Been twice and both times were unpleasant. The building is small and doesn’t have adequate places to store your items or put your skates on, which is a shame since it’s so busy. I couldn’t enjoy my skate feeling like somebody would steal my things. They also didn’t have any of of the ice skate holders that help you get the skate on. They were out of the skate my size, so i chose to get a size up. My friend who doesn’t skate said it was hurting his ankles, at closer inspection I realized they gave him skates that were ripped out on the side (both skates). While he returned his skates for a new pair, I asked for the size down from my size because I couldn’t make the size up work. I squeezed into them okay, but right when I hit the ice they hurt. Turns out this pair was also ripped out the sides (no, they didn’t give me my friend’s pair, this was another). This time I payed attention when I returned them (and told them they were damaged beyond use), and they put them right back on the normal shelf for...