Center Ice Arena — Local services in Sandy Springs

Initially, I played in a league game at this rink and on the way out was told I was going to "be fatally harmed(google blocks the actual words)" in the parking lot. We had family and kids with us so a member of our party (not me), called the police. The police showed up and offered to arrest the other individual, but we said we didn't want to ruin somebody's life over a hockey game even though they were acting the way they were.

We walked out to the car to leave and just said we wanted the cops there for safety. Cops wrote a report and that was it.

Around 15 months later, I arrived with some friends to watch a family members game. We were walking to the stands, making no contact with anyone and we have always had great experiences with this rink until this time.

The owner approached us and started yelling/threatening us in the lobby for supposed "1 star reviews" left on their google page saying the rink was unsafe (ironically). Even though we were saying we had no reviews on them, the owner continued to threaten and ask us to leave / called the cops even though we started to leave as it was not worth it.

I tried to work things out like an adult by offering to talk to the owner or discuss things and see why my family was being targeted for no reason (he told me "if he he found out the reviews were mine or one of my family members, our family would "have f'ing problems"). The AAHL league that plays here also handled the initial instance inappropriately as per the usual.

Even if we did have a 1 star review on their page, which we did not, it is not an appropriate way to handle or run a business and threaten / ban customers from the premise for something they didn't do, or something someone else did. (The ones who threatened to fatally harm others in the lobby are still allowed in the rink.)

Doing the right thing is...

It's easy to get to--right off the freeway. Inside, they have a lobby area with a snack bar, pro shop, and seating. The rink is through another door, keeping the cold out. We went during public skating hours (posted on their website). It was not overly crowded and the other skaters were a good mix of advanced and beginners. I can skate moderately well, but my kids (elementary and middle school aged) are still learning. All of us were comfortable and did not fear getting run over by anyone else on the rink! The rink also has seating and a slight ledge for those that hold onto the wall to get their balance. I did not see any trainers for beginners to push around the rink, but we didn't ask for them, either. The ice was really smooth when we arrived at the start of public skating, and was understandably pretty scratched up at the end. (For beginners, I would recommend getting there close to when they open for public skate for the smoothest ice.) When we left at the end of the two hour window for open skate, they were bringing out the zamboni. They offer classes for those interested and had fliers about that by the door. Also, they have lockers available for $2. Overall, we had a great experience there! It is 50 mins from where we live, but it's the closest ice skating rink to us, and we will definitely be back.

For other southern parents like me who are learning about ice skating with small kids, here is what I've learned to bring:

-jackets (and maybe wear layers); the rink is cold, but depending on how much you skate, you may get a little warm and want to take some things off -gloves for yourself and the kids -if your little one has sensitive ears, bring ear muffs or something to cover them. After skating for 2 hours, my ears hurt on the inside from...

Our family had an absolutely fantastic time at the ice-skating rink! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and joy. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, especially considering we had our two children with us.

The rink itself was well-maintained and spacious, providing ample room for skaters of all levels, including beginners like our kids. The rental skates were in excellent condition, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience for everyone.

What truly stood out was the supportive environment. The staff offered helpful tips to our children, boosting their confidence on the ice. It was heartwarming to see them learn and improve their skating skills while having so much fun.

We also appreciated the thoughtful amenities, like the cozy warming area and the selection of snacks and hot drinks. These touches made our outing even more enjoyable, allowing us to relax and take in the cheerful atmosphere.

Overall, our family had a memorable time at the ice-skating rink. It was a perfect blend of fun, warmth, and helpful assistance, making it an ideal destination for families. We can't wait to visit again and create more wonderful memories on the ice. Thank you to the staff for providing such a delightful experience...