Lancerlot Sports Complex
1110 Vinyard Road
Vinton, VA 24179
540.981.0205
https://lancerlotsportscomplex.com/ice-rink/https://www.mapquest.com/us/virginia/lancerlot-sports-complex-2974606I was invited to audit a jump coaching session that the rink director has with one of my skaters. This rink collapsed several years ago after a heavy snowfall. They reopened in late 2018 and it is really nice. Isolated, but nice. They don't have a home club as yet, but they're in the process of starting one.
A little cold, but not too bad. They have rinkside metal bleachers, which are okay if you want to be close to the action but there's a second-floor balcony with a walking track that runs around three sides of the rink, providing prime viewing with a little more exercise/warmth for the spectators.
No on-ice line harness, but the head pro uses a pole harness and they're planning to buy an off-ice rotational harness. The ceilings are three stories high, so an overhead harness would require some engineering. The rink has on-ice graphics for curling and broomball, so it's fun to make up exercises for figure skaters that use those graphics. (Sharp edges around the three circles, for example.)
The facility also offers swimming, fitness, basketball/racquetball courts, boxing, martial arts, personal training, physical therapy and massage.
The bathrooms and locker rooms were clean and well-maintained. The flooring is in great shape, being new.
Public skating at midday, plus evening sessions on Friday and Saturday.
Lots and lots of hockey ice, but freestyles on Monday and Friday afternoons, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Not at all crowded and the skaters/pros are very friendly.
Unique approach to LTS: they hold "Basic Skills Intro" classes in small groups during the Sunday public sessions, coning off the area. The full curriculum classes are taught on the Wednesday/Saturday LTS ice time. Smart way to attract new skaters and create a funnel/provide more space for the higher-level classes.
Didn't have time to check out the pro shop or the concession stand. The skating director offers quality figure skate sharpening. (He does my skater's sharpenings now since she goes to him once or twice a month for jump coaching.)
The town itself is cute - typical older homes and downtown. Probably had some hard times, but seems to be on the rebound. It's not very far from Roanoke, VA, which has a lot of nice restaurants and hotels.
This would be a great place to host an adult workshop or seminar.
Topic: Lancerlot Sports Complex - Vinton, VA (Read 4233 times)