Wheaton Ice Arena Public Skating Session and Party Room
Party Rooms
The Wheaton Ice Arena offers party rooms that are conveniently located right off of the ice rink. This makes it easy for guests to come and go from the party room to the ice as they please. The party rooms are a very nice feature and help to make the party flow smoothly. Each room can hold a maximum of 25 people, including adults and children, and can be rented for $50.00 an hour. If you need more space, two rooms can be combined for a maximum of 50 people and rented for $100.00 an hour. It is important to note that admission and skate rental are not included in the room rental fee. The rooms do get tight when they are at capacity, but there are some features that help to make the small space feel bigger. Each room comes with 3 large banquet tables, chairs, and a small table in the front. The backs of the chairs have cutout holes which make it easy to attach balloons to the chairs. However, renters must provide and decorate the room themselves.
Since your contracted time starts once you enter the room, it is a good idea to plan your party around one of the two daily public skate sessions. These sessions run for about 2 hours and are subject to a 15-minute Zamboni break. We attended a 2-hour party and found it to be ample time for the guests to eat pizza and cake, and skate in between the party festivities.
Fees
On weekends and holidays, admission to the public skate session is $7 for ages 5 and up. Ages 3 to 4 are $5 and a child 2 and under is free with a paid adult admission. Guests are allowed to bring their own skates. However, if skates are needed, skate rental is available for $4 per pair. It is worth noting that if your party coincides with the daily “Cheapskate” session, the $8 admission fee includes skate rental. Group discount books are also available for purchase at $72. These books include 10 admission-only tickets with no expiration date. It is recommended to check the rink’s current schedule, which may be subject to change.
Snacks
When it comes to snacks, you have the option to bring in your own food and drink or purchase them at the arena. The arena offers 16″ pizzas with 8 slices for $14 (cheese) or $13 (pepperoni). If you choose to purchase soda, it is available at $5.50 per pitcher. Additionally, paper products can be purchased for $3.00 per place setting, which includes cups, plates, napkins, and eating utensils. It is important to note that food is delivered at the time you requested, and the rink staff cannot serve guests. Unfortunately, there is no freezer or refrigerator available for use.
The Experience
The staff at Wheaton Ice Arena is known for being friendly and attentive. The skate rental attendant is particularly helpful, providing advice and assistance to guests as they put on their skates and try walking in them for the first time. During the public session, a staff member is on the ice to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The music played at the rink is appropriate for all ages and is not too loud, creating a pleasant atmosphere. However, it is worth mentioning that the rink itself tends to be colder than expected, so it is advisable to dress in layers and wear gloves to keep warm. The party room, on the other hand, is climate controlled and serves as a great place to warm up. Despite the potential for the rink to reach capacity on weekends and holidays, during our visit, there were barely 20-30 people on the ice during the public skate session. This could be due to the fact that we visited on a Saturday in late October when there were competing activities.
The ice rink at Wheaton Ice Arena caters to skaters of all skill levels. During our visit, the party guests consisted mostly of novices who clung to the side rail for support. More experienced skaters tended to skate confidently in the middle of the rink. As the rink is also used for hockey, there are a couple of side boxes with benches along the edge. These boxes provide a great place for beginners to stop and rest. It is worth noting that some children wore helmets, and it is recommended to bring one for young beginners. For spectators, there is bleacher seating available in the ice arena.
Good to Know
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Party rooms can be reserved in-person or by calling Wheaton Ice Arena. Room fees are due in full at the time of application, and a minimum of 2 weeks is needed for cancellation.
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The current public skate sessions at Wheaton Ice Arena (subject to change) are as follows:
- Friday: 12:30pm to 2:30pm and 4:45pm to 6:15pm (Cheapskate sessions with skate rental included) and a Teen Skate in the evening
- Saturday: 12:30pm to 2:30pm and 4:00pm to 6:00pm (Cheapskate sessions)
- Sunday: 2:45pm to 4:45pm and a Family Cheapskates session from 11:00am to 12:45pm, designed for parents and children ages 12 and younger
It is advisable to check the Wheaton Ice Arena website, www.WheatonIceArena.com, for any changes in the schedule and information on special events. Special events can range from Halloween Skates to a Winter Skating Show, and even a month of special events during the Winter Olympics.
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As mentioned earlier, the rink tends to be cold, so it is important to dress in layers and wear gloves. Helmets are also recommended for young beginners.
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Children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by a person who is at least 16 years old.
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Parking at Wheaton Ice Arena is plentiful and free, making it convenient for guests.
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Internet access is available at the arena. Simply ask the front desk for the password.
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If you are looking to host an exclusive event, the entire rink can be rented for $360 an hour. The maximum capacity is 450 people.
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For additional refreshments, there is a snack bar and plenty of vending machines located outside of the ice rink. There are also seating areas adjacent to the snack bar and right outside the ice rink, with large windows providing a great view of the skaters.
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If you are in need of equipment or accessories for hockey, figure skating, or recreational skating, there is a pro shop located on the premises of Wheaton Ice Arena.
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Additionally, Wheaton Ice Arena houses the Wheaton Workout center, which features treadmills, cross-trainers, and shoulder, leg, and chest press machines.
In conclusion, Wheaton Ice Arena offers a great venue for hosting a party with its convenient party rooms located right off the ice rink. The rooms can accommodate up to 25 guests and can be combined for larger parties. While the room rental fee does not include admission and skate rental, the arena offers affordable rates for both. The staff at Wheaton Ice Arena is friendly and helpful, ensuring a positive experience for all guests. It is important to dress warmly for the rink as it tends to be colder than expected. However, the party room provides a climate-controlled space for warming up. The ice rink caters to skaters of all skill levels, with novices clinging to the side rail and more experienced skaters confidently skating in the middle of the rink. Wheaton Ice Arena also offers various public skate sessions throughout the week, with special events taking place from time to time. Overall, Wheaton Ice Arena provides a fun and enjoyable experience for party-goers and skaters of all ages.