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On the Ice => Rink Roundups => Topic started by: Bill_S on February 08, 2016, 06:57:09 PM

Title: Athens, OH - Bird Arena
Post by: Bill_S on February 08, 2016, 06:57:09 PM
Bird Arena is my home rink and it's run by Ohio University. Located in the heart of the campus, it's a seasonal rink open from early September through March. The website is https://www.ohio.edu/recreation/bird/ (https://www.ohio.edu/recreation/bird/)

It's a very hockey-centric rink, and becoming increasingly so. Freestyle offerings have been reduced from 12 hours per week in the early 2000s, to the 5-1/2 hours per week offered now. Parking can be difficult for non-university employees or students. Even with a hang tag, parking near the building is probably a couple hundred yards away. If you're allergic to rink food, there is the new student center directly across the street where decent food can be purchased. It has a large coffee shop inside too.

Freestyle Times:
Tuesday- 5pm-6:30pm
Thursday- 5pm-6:30pm
Friday- 4pm-5pm
Saturday- 11:45am-1:15pm

Freestyle costs (as of 2/2016)

$6 per half hour walk-on
Non-club member punch card - $50 / twenty 15 min. punches (=$10/hour)
Club member card - $40 / twenty 15 min. punches (=$8/ hour)

Club membership $35 the first year, $55/ yr. afterward.

Because of university policy, only students can be coaches. The capability of the coaching staff varies from year to year, although some individuals may be fairly talented.

The rink is old, although there was an update 20 years ago. There is talk of remodeling, or perhaps rebuilding the rink in a new location (but still one with parking issues).
The ice is never great until hockey season is done. It can be fairly bad at times. There are always some minor ruts, so I'd rate it 3 out of 5.

Lobby  -

(http://www.afterness.com/skating/images/bird-arena-10bsml.jpg)

Ice from the back of the rink looking toward the mezzanine and lobby -

(http://www.afterness.com/skating/images/bird-arena-02bsml.jpg)

View from mezzanine -

(http://www.afterness.com/skating/images/parents-watch-sml.jpg)

Recreational skate times:
Tuesday, Thursday 8:30-9:50
Saturday 1:30-2:50
Sunday 2:30-3:50

Official policy is no jumps or spins on rec sessions
Title: Re: Athens, OH - Bird Arena
Post by: AgnesNitt on February 08, 2016, 07:07:26 PM
That's one nice rink!
Title: Re: Athens, OH - Bird Arena
Post by: Bill_S on February 08, 2016, 08:08:06 PM
It's marvelous that it's located in a small town of only 20,000 population. The university student population is another 20,000, but I count myself fortunate to live in a place that has an orchestra, a skating rink, and no rush hour traffic.

Just no parking though.