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Today's Family Magazine

Mentor Ice Arena has classes and programs to fit every skater’s ability

Oct 24, 2016 12:21PM ● By Today's Family
By Laura Lytle

Celebrating 34 years as the only indoor ice skating complex in Lake County, Mentor Ice Arena has made exciting new changes from facility improvements to adding two new skating coaches.

Mentor Ice Arena offers beginners, experts and families the opportunity to stretch their legs on the ice with two regulation sized ice rinks, a studio rink, locker rooms and a snack bar.  It has a wide range of ice skating and hockey programs, as well as after-school skating and open skate times that are open to residents in all communities.

“Fall is the best time of year because we start ramping up for the winter season.  We couldn’t be more excited to have our new coaches on board and start a new era of skating at the arena,” said Bill Furman, Mentor Ice Arena manager.

“Our young skaters are in great hands with Michelle Walters and Dan Fritsche.  Both the learn-to-skate program and hockey league are headed in bright new directions,” he added.

As the new skating director, Michelle Walters (a three-time world skating competitor) is happy to return to her roots in Mentor.  Michelle began competitive skating at age 6 and continued her passion through college at Miami of Ohio, earning her championship medals in synchronized skating and ice dancing.  She has been coaching young skaters for nearly 10 years and is looking forward to meeting new, passionate skaters in the community.

The learn-to-skate program advances skaters on a natural progression for all persons and skill levels, 3 years of age and older, in both group and private lessons.  Learn-to-skate session registration begins on November 2 and lessons begin on November 12.

Dan Fritsche has recently returned to the United States after playing professional hockey overseas.  Hockey has always been part of Dan’s life from his childhood in Cleveland then across the country where he played in the NHL for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers and onto Europe.  Recreational and competitive hockey leagues for children (as young as 3 years old) and adults will be under Dan’s professional guidance.

Anyone is welcome to the open skate sessions every weekend (October–April) or to reserve part of the complex for kids' skating parties or business retreats (open year round). 
“Ignite the Ice” Fridays is great for teens looking to have a good time with their friends as the arena features lights and music. 

Open skate is held on Saturdays from 1:30-3:30 pm and 8:30-10:30 pm, Sundays from 1:30-3:30 pm, as well as varying weekday hours.

Mentor Ice Arena will also be offering additional open skating times during school winter breaks in December.

Kids can also spend time with their friends during the after-school skate program which begins with a group lesson followed by one-and-a-half hours of open skating.  Mentor elementary schools provide bus transportation to the ice arena and students are fully supervised until parent pick-up. 

Mentor Ice Arena is located at 8600 Munson Road.  Call 440-974-5730 or visit www.cityofmentor.com for more info.