HOUSTON \u2013 For many in Houston, Memorial City Ice Rink is more than just a place to skate.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s where children grew up, friendships are formed, and a tight-knit community has taken shape over two decades.<\/p>\n
Now, that community is fighting to stay together.<\/p>\n
Skaters, coaches, parents, and members of Houston\u2019s hockey community are speaking out after learning the rink is set to close in July.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rink is their home, the rink is their family, the rink is their support system,\u201d said coach Cricket Darling.<\/p>\n
Ice Skate Memorial City sent this email to patrons on April 10 announcing the rink will conclude operations on July 31 as part of planned mall enhancements.<\/p>\n
Memorial City email (kprc)<\/p>\n
But many who use the rink say the news caught them completely off guard.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo warning, nothing,\u201d said Darling. \u201cThey say that the rink is supposed to be open all of spring, and it is not. It\u2019s not open right now. It is a sheet of concrete at the moment.”<\/p>\n
For lifelong skaters like Caitlin Palmones, the announcement was deeply personal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really heartbreaking to hear the ice rink closing as I grew up here,\u201d said Palmones. \u201cI\u2019ve made the most amazing friends and they have become my lifelong best friends.”<\/p>\n
The impact, they say, goes far beyond one rink.<\/p>\n
Houston already has a limited number of ice facilities \u2014 and losing one could strain the entire system.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the other rinks in Houston are going to absorb that capacity. They will be over capacity,\u201d said Jim Malloy, a member of the local hockey community.<\/p>\n
Figure skaters say that kind of overcrowding can disrupt training \u2014 and even create safety concerns.<\/p>\n
Consistency, they say, is critical in a sport where progress depends on regular ice time.<\/p>\n
Even a short disruption can set skaters back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard for all of us to kind of pick up and move somewhere else and we\u2019re packed like sardines at these other rinks,\u201d said Darling \u201cIt\u2019s dangerous.”<\/p>\n
For many families, Memorial City Ice Rink has served as a central hub \u2014 not just for training, but for everyday life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy break down an already really dedicated community?\u201d said hockey parent Marisol Miranda. \u201cYou already have a community that wants to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parents say the rink\u2019s location inside Memorial City Mall makes it especially accessible \u2014 a place where families can introduce their children to skating, spend time together, and build routines around the sport.<\/p>\n
They also point to the economic impact, saying the rink draws consistent foot traffic to the mall \u2014 from casual skaters to families attending games and practices.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just hockey players and figure skaters,\u201d hockey player Bill Heelander said. \u201cIt\u2019s recreational skaters that come to the mall.\u201d<\/p>\n
With limited ice time elsewhere and long commutes to other rinks, some families worry their children may be forced to quit altogether.<\/p>\n
Coaches say they\u2019re already seeing the emotional toll.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard as a coach to see the kids so upset and frustrated,\u201d Darling said.<\/p>\n
Others say the closure could impact the next generation of skaters \u2014 making it harder for beginners to even get started.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need them to know we need this rink,\u201d said hockey Miranda. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re all speaking up.\u201d<\/p>\n
KPRC 2 reached out to MetroNational, the company that owns Memorial City Mall, asking whether community input was considered before the decision was made.<\/p>\n
The company did not directly answer that question, but sent us the following statement:<\/p>\n
In November 2025, MetroNational submitted plans for enhancements that included the relocation and construction of the mall\u2019s main entrance. Once this work begins, we will be unable to maintain the required ice conditions, and the ice rink will need to close, permanently. Accordingly, the Memorial City Ice Rink will officially conclude operations on Friday, July 31, 2026.<\/p>\n
In light of this timeline, Memorial City Ice Rink will not be accepting registrations for the fall season. The rink will remain open for the remainder of the Spring season (April \u2013 June), and Open Skate, Freestyle skate and Learn to Skate programs will continue as scheduled until operations conclude on July 31, 2026.<\/p>\n
Although this decision is difficult given that the space has hosted years of memories, this transition allows us to thoughtfully reinvest in the long-term growth of our community and is part of our broader commitment to ensuring our experience offerings align with the needs of West Houston both today and in the years to come.<\/p>\n
We are sincerely grateful to the patrons, staff, coaches, user groups and community partners who made the rink a special place over the years. The memories created here will always remain an important part of our community\u2019s story. To ensure the spirit of the rink lives on, all usable equipment from the ice rink will be donated to other rinks and community organizations to support future skaters and programs.<\/p>\n
MetroNational remains committed to continued reinvestment and growth in West Houston. With the recent acquisition of CityCentre, M-K-T Heights, and the opening of Greenside later this year, we are continually evolving to deliver the best in retail, dining, and entertainment experiences.<\/p>\n
We look forward to sharing future plans for the space in the months ahead.<\/p>\n
For now, many skaters have already been forced to relocate \u2014 traveling farther and adjusting their routines to keep training.<\/p>\n
But they say they\u2019re not giving up.<\/p>\n
From organizing efforts to speaking out publicly, this community is hoping its message is heard before the rink shuts down for good.<\/p>\n