GPS Info: GPS it. GPS is correct. However, you’ll get off the highway and drive for another 10-15 minutes……
Home-rink for: Bridgewater State Universtiy, Boston Bandits, Local High School Teams
Parking: Decent, front of building and around the left side
Sheets: 2 sheets. East and West. East is the better viewing.
Locker Rooms: Decent size, well maitained. Named after NHL teams instead of numeric order….
Rink Conditions: Excellent. Well maintained, great ice.
Overall: Colder rink, but also very clean. Pride is evident. Lot of ice use, but the rink staff keeps the place well run. Lot of amenities here. Little bit off the beaten path, but a nice rink to have ice time at. East Rink is the “main rink” in our opinion. Viewing stands are good. West Rink has an overhead viewing area, but no stands
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Yes, large one. Hub City Hockey runs it. Probably one of the best at a local rink
Snack Bar: Yes (Cash only). Good selection, more than the standard rink microwave pizza. Beverages and a large selection of sandwiches and snack food. Breakfast sandwiches in morning hours.
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes
ATM: Yes (needed as the snack bar does not take cards…cash only!)
Arcade: Yes, Foosball too, big selection. Change machine
WiFi: Yes, but we didn’t learn password
Bathrooms (non-Locker room bathrooms-Public): Large, clean. Well maintained. But cold
Private Rooms: Unknown
Miscellaneous: Live Barn is available on East Rink (unknown on West Rink)
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and Quantity: Yes and Yes! Excellent in both!
Selection: Large selection
Knowledge: Excellent
OTHER:
Tailgating: We have done it before. Go to left side of rink in upper area of lot
Local attractions: Close to Bridgewater State University.
Things to do to kill time: For breakfast try Perseys Place (persysplace.com)
Photography at rink: Very well lit, but net blocks a lot of good pictures
Other stuff for kids: Semi-close to Patriots Place and the Wrentham outlets…..
GPS Info: Right on. GPS takes you thru some residential neighborhoods. Drive slow.
Home-rink for: Bay State Breakers, South Shore Eagles, Abington Greenwave, Rockland High School, others and the Winterland Skating School
Parking: Plenty
Sheets: 1 Sheet
Locker Rooms: Small, but well kept
Rink Conditions: Cold rink, but great ice.
Overall: Nice rink. Dress warm. On a cold scale with 10 being the coldest we give this an 8. Lot of amenities. ATM, snack bar, pro shop. Stands are good. Locker rooms under the stands. Little crowded in rooms, but manageable. Well maintained place. Pride is evident.
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Yes
Snack Bar: Yes
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes. available in snack bar area even when snack bar is closed. No machine takes cards however.
ATM: Yes
Arcade: Few arcade games in the far corner. All in working order. A couple of games near the front entrance too. Claw game!
WiFi: Yes!
Bathrooms (non-Locker room bathrooms-Public): Small and cold but clean and well maintained.
Private Rooms: Unknown
Miscellaneous: Change machine i
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and Quantity: Large quality and quantity
Selection: Large selection
Knowledge: Seemed very knowledgeable
OTHER:
Tailgating: Done it before….park near the left side of rink
Local attractions: Buffalo Wild Wings one exit away.
Things to do to kill time: Not much, throw a football in the parking lot?
Photography at rink: Well lit, good for pictures
Other stuff for kids: Arcade and games at rink….didn’t find any non-rink activities nearby
Home-rink for: Local High Schools, St Johns, Essex etc. Skate clubs as well.
Parking: Large lot, plenty of parking. Can drive up, drop off kid and then park
Sheets: 2 Sheets plus a turf field!
Locker Rooms: Large, well lit, clean and roomy
Rink Conditions: Fantastic. Both Sheets were excellent
Overall: This rink is brand new. We like it. Looks like lots of construction is happening. Pro-shop going in a smoothie bar and we can only hope some sort of snack bar. Big, well lit, clean, modern and warm. Even has heaters in the stands! This was a great rink. Scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the coldest) we gave it about a 5 for in the stands. Heaters were off, but we imagine when on its downright pleasant here. Waiting to go back once construction is complete of the pro-shop and (we hope!) a snack-bar.
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Under construction (we think)
Snack Bar: Smoothie bar coming soon
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes, modern. Takes cards
ATM: Didnt see one
Arcade: No
WiFi: Yes, free and lots of bandwidth
Bathrooms (non-Locker room bathrooms-Public): Large, clean and warm. Well maintained.
Private Rooms: Looks like there is
Miscellaneous: Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning has a facility there.
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: N/A
Quality and Quantity: N/A
Selection: N/A
Knowledge: N/A
OTHER:
Tailgating: Didn’t try. Plenty of room. But sherffis office is right nearby with a convenient jail….so be warned!
Local attractions: Farm Stand nearby. Texas Road House right nearby. Market Street (Lynfield) is an open shopping areas (including a Whole Foods) and various stores & restaurants.
Things to do to kill time:
Photography at rink: Well lit. Net may block good camera shots
Other stuff for kids: North Shore Mall, Liberty Tree Mall
GPS Info: Correct. Rink is behind the Sons of Italy and garden store. Paramount is off of Pleasant
Homerink Info: Many. Local High Schools (Watertown, Waltham), Waltham youth hockey, Jr Eagles, New England Pride
Parking: Plenty
Sheets: 1 Sheet. NHL standard
Locker Rooms: Roomy. 8 total
Rink Conditions: Older rink, but well cared for. Ice is excellent, medium size parking lot. On a scale of 1-10 for cold we give this a 6 (10 being the coldest)
Overall: Good rink, well run, clean. Lot of hockey and skating at this place!
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Yes, very small
Snack Bar: No
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes, takes money only. Didn’t see one that takes cards
ATM: No
Arcade: No
WiFi: Unknown
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Large and clean. Well cared for
Private Rooms: Unknown
Miscellaneous: Russos Farm Stand is next door. Standard farm produce etc. But also has prepared foods and sandwiches. Excellent quality!
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and Quantity: Small. Not much. Skate Rentals too
Selection: Somewhat limited. Enough for “emergencies”. Tape, mouth guards etc.
Knowledge: Good for what was there
OTHER:
Tailgating: Not the best place for massive tailgating. Perhaps a couple of low key adult beverages and snacks in parking lot.
Local attractions: Near Moody St in Waltham. Lots of restaurants and bars.
Things to do to kill time: Russo garden store. Launch
Photography at rink: Okay from stands good viewing from stands
Other stuff for kids: Launch Trampoline is nearby. Indoor trampoline Park
GPS Info: Route 146. Northbound side. GPS is accurate. If coming from north you’ll have to loop around (easy to do) or take a quick left on Sayles Hill Rd-Right on Old Smithfield and then north on Eddie Dowling ( Take left at ligts before getting to the rink). Easy
Homerink Info: Providence Capitals, youth groups, public skate, adult leagues
Parking: Excellent. Plenty
Sheets: 2 Sheets
Locker Rooms: Plenty of rooms. Decent sized. Clean
Rink Conditions: Good rink. Great ice.
Overall: We like this rink other than the commute. Decent snack bar, great ice, well run facility. It is on the cold side. Cold scale of 1-10 (10 being the coldest) its right up there at an 8 or so. Lot of parking, easy to get to. Plenty of restaurants within a few minute drive.
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Yes. Large selection. Skate sharpening offered
Snack Bar: Yes. Good quality, well run
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes
ATM: Unknown
Arcade: Several video games available (including the claw game).
WiFi: Unknown
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Several. Best ones are in snack bar area. Clean
Quality and quantity: Excellent. One of the better stocked ones we have seen. Just about everything is offered here, including skate repair
Selection: Excellent
Knowledge: Very good
OTHER:
Tailgating: Large parking lot. We have done it before many times for long weekends. Clean up after yourself and we have never had an issue here.
Local attractions: Lot of local places to eat. Nearby is Providence RI. Also for the adults in your party there is the Twin Rivers Casino (www.twinriver.com), the Lincoln Mall or (north on 146) about 20 min away the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley (www.shopsatblackstonevalley.com)
Things to do to kill time: Mall, Casino
Photography at rink: Decent
Other stuff for kids: Arcade, mall, wouldn’t recommend stick handling in the rink. Its frownded upon! We liked getting there a little bit early after a long drive and letting the kids stretch in the parking lot with a game of football or wiffle ball.
GPS Info: Little wonky. GPS for 4 Nonantum takes you about 1/4 mile away. Daly is same side of road as river, marina, athletic fields and boathouses.
Homerink Info: Boston Jr Eagles, local college, public skating
Parking: Can be tough. large lot, but fills fast due to proximity to athletic fields. We’ve had luck doing the drop off and coming out of parking lot headed left and parking by Boat House.
Sheets: 1. Great ice.
Locker Rooms: Several, clean, well maintained and good sized.
Rink Conditions: Clean, well maintained, no frills, but great ice and a very good staff. Viewing is mostly from the boards. Small set of Bleachers, but we never watch from there.
Overall: Good place. Set on the banks of the Charles River. No bones about it, its a cold rink. Scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the coldest) we give this an 8.5. Parking can be tricky, but rink is super easy to get too off of the Mass Pike (or RT 20). In the summer and spring you can watch the local college crew boats rowing by. Running/walking trail loops nearby (about 3 miles). Nice rink, while not a lot of amenities they are probably one of the best skate sharpeners around.
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: No. Skate Rental/Sharpening shop has basics (Tape, mouth guards, laces).
Snack Bar: No
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes. Snack machine takes cards. Drink machines do not
ATM: Yes. And Change Machine
Arcade: No, 1 fooseball game however
WiFi: No (and Verizon Cell service-our provided-can be non-existent at times).
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): 2 sets (front & back of rink). Older, but clean & well maintained.
Private Rooms: Yes. Does private Birthday parties
Miscellaneous: Nearby is a Dunkins, McDonalds, Ihop, Staples and Package store. Arsenal Mall nearby as well. Close proximity to Warrior Rink, Boston etc. Check out Wild Willies Burgers (about 1.5 miles away). Nice running/walking loop around the Charles River.
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: Yes. Great word of mouth reviews on the quality of sharpening. Heads up…CASH ONLY.
Quality and quantity: Good, but limited….not a Pro shop. Skate Rental shop that sharpens. Has a limited selection of tape, laces and mouth guards. Again, Cash only!
Selection: Small
Knowledge: Excellent. Some of the best skate sharpening around.
OTHER:
Tailgating: We’ve done it before….park near the river. Parking can get tight if busses roll in. Dumpsters nearby for easy of disposal.
Local attractions: Boston, Warrior Rink, Arsenal Mall, running loop.
Things to do to kill time: Mall, run, watch the rowers (scullers?) go by.
Photography at rink: Tough thru the glass.
Other stuff for kids: Athletic fields nearby. shares parking lot. Good for kids to get out and stretch if you had a long ride to this Rink. Trails near by. Mall
GPS Info: Perfect. Easy to get to. Rotary can be a little tricky.
Homerink Info: Charles River Hockey, Boch Blazers, Thayer, Boch Militia. various adult leagues and the HS Preps
Parking: Plenty, both front and side
Sheets: 2 sheets. Full sheet and a 1/2 sheet
Locker Rooms: Good size, clean, well maintained
Rink Conditions: Cold scale on 1-10 (10 being coldest) we give this one a 5..maybe 6. Not too cold to view a game!
Overall: This is a nice, well kept, well maintained rink. Clean, friendly staff and easy to get to. Well lit, good overhead viewing. Good for pictures too. Plenty of “extras” while you are there. One of our more favorite rinks to come to
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Yes, combined withe snack shop. Small convenience store/snack shop/pro shop all in one. Clean, good selection of quick snacks, drinks and coffee. Small selection of hockey essentials: tape, sticks, laces etc. Skate sharpening available.
Snack Bar: Yes. All quick snacks: chips, drinks, granola bars, power drinks, coffee
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes. All the machines we saw took Debit cards
ATM: Yes
Arcade: Not separate arcade, but plenty of games in the main lobby. Including the “Claw Game”.
WiFi: Yes-no access code required
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Yes, clean, well maintained
Private Rooms: Yes
Miscellaneous: gym in the facility. 2nd Floor viewing stands are Handicap accessible (elevator available).
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and quantity: Good quality, small selection, but just enough
Selection: Good selection of basics.
Knowledge: Very. Very helpful and professional
OTHER:
Tailgating: Doesn’t seem conducive…perhaps around back of the building
Local attractions: Close by to Legacy Place (shops/restaurants) and Patriot Place.
Things to do to kill time: Video games in lobby, public skate on 1/2 sheet, legacy place is nearby. Lots of places to eat on nearby Route 1
Photography at rink: Great. 2nd floor viewing stands provide excellent advantage point
Other stuff for kids: Video games, nearby attractions.
GPS Info: 2130 Providence Highway is Route 1 (This is Route 1 going North). Plenty of opportunities to do a u turn if you pass the rink. Easy rink to get to
Homerink Info: Shamrocks, Walpole Express,
Parking: Plenty
Sheets: 2 sheets. 1 NHL size and 1 Olympic size
Locker Rooms: Small / clean
Rink Conditions: Clean, organized, well care for.
Overall: Lots of tournaments at this rink. Originally built to train the Woman’s Olympic Team. Lots of camps run here too. On the Cold Scale we give it a 6…not too cold. Plus you can warm up in the middle viewing area. Snack bar is solid, but cash only (ATM in lobby). Don’t forget to say hello to Jake the Dog (but don’t feed him!)!!
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Yes
Snack Bar: Yes. Variety of choices. Debit cards not accepted at Snack bar (ATM in lobby).
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes in main lobby. Drinks
ATM: Yes
Arcade: Couple of video games, but no arcade per se
WiFi: Yes
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Cold….
Private Rooms: Yes
Miscellaneous: LiveBarn is available
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and quantity: Good / Good
Selection: Very decent selection
Knowledge: On target
OTHER:
Tailgating: Done it before. Right side of rink is large parking lot that abuts a small field (good for kid wiffle ball & football!).
Local attractions: 2 miles to Gillette / Patriots Place
Things to do to kill time: Patriots Place
Photography at rink: Good, stands allow good vantage for pics
Other stuff for kids: Patriots Place. Lots of nearby restaurants (within a mile or less…..fast food to high end…all choices)
GPS Info: Continue past 350 Propsect St (Main School Office) to the first Left off of Rotary. This takes you into the rink parking lot. Easy to get to off of Route 2.
Homerink Info: Belmont Hills School Hockey program, Jr Eagles,
Parking: Plenty. Can drop your player off at door and then park
Sheets: 1 sheet. Olympic size. Bring water and snacks for your player after. They will be toast. Good venue to watch the game from balcony above.
Locker Rooms: Decent, clean, usually each team is issued two locker rooms (A & B).
Rink Conditions: Excellent. Cold. Large sheet, very well maintained.
Overall: This is a great venue. Private Boy’s school and it shows. The facilty is large, modern and extremely well maintained. We like this rink a lot for the ice. On a cold scale its about a 7.5 (scale of 1-10 with 10 being the coldest). Downstairs is about an 8. Second floor balcony is around a 7. Good viewing from the balcony. Not much amenities on campus or nearby. Bring your player a snack. its Olympic sized ice and they will be cooked at the end of the game/practice!
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: No
Snack Bar: No
Adult Bar: No (and Belmont is a dry town)
Vending Machine(s): Yes. Snacks, drinks and a coffee vending machine
ATM: No
Arcade: No
WiFi: Yes, public, but never had luck getting on
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Excellent. Large, clean, well stocked and maintained
Private Rooms: N/A
Miscellaneous: Gym upstairs is sometimes open for the teams to warm up/stretch. Attached football/soccer fields provide a good chance to run and stretch too. Running Track right outside rink for those joggers in your group……FYI we see a lot of dogs (on and off leash) in the soccer fields.
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: N/A
Quality and quantity: N/A
Selection: N/A
Knowledge: N/A
OTHER:
Tailgating: Probably not the best place…
Local attractions: Near Boston….but nothing real close to rink for amenities
Things to do to kill time: Be outside
Photography at rink: From 2nd floor balcony its good. bright and open view
Homerink Info: Top Gun, Windham High, Timberland High, Salem NH High
Parking: Plenty, large lots on side and front of rink
Sheets: 2 Sheets. “Olympic” and “NHL” (also reflects size)
Locker Rooms: Good size, always clean. Best entry is thru lower level.
Rink Conditions: Olympic rink has great viewing stands and is reasonable in spectator temp (6.5 on 1-10 scale).
Overall: This is a well run rink. Locker rooms are clean and decent size (lots too). Olympic rink is a great rink to watch a game at. NHL rink has less viewing area and substantially colder. Easy to get to from highway. We like the snack bar, lots of selections and made to order. Bucket o beers will cost you 15bucks for 5.
AMENITIES:
Pro Shop: Yes
Snack Bar: Yes, good quality. Has adult beverages available. Can watch game(s) from Snack bar. Large selection of food made to order. Our favorite is the Breakfast Sandwich (bacon, egg and cheese). Excellent.
Adult Bar: Adult beverages at snack bar (beer & wine)
Vending Machine(s): Yes (downstairs)
ATM: ?
Arcade: 4 or 5 Arcade games down stairs (including a “claw” game).
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Clean & large. well stocked
WiFi: Yes. Couldn’t find code to public access however.
Private Rooms: Yes
Miscellaneous: Easy to get to. Dunkins nearby (on way to rink off highway). Also a “Mom & Pop” Breakfast place. Margaritas (mexican restaurant) nearby as well.
PRO SHOP:
Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and quantity: Good and Good.
Selection: Decent selection of items
Knowledge: Every time we’ve used the pro shop the staff was knowledgeable and friendly
OTHER:
Tailgating: Possible. Haven’t tried it, but plenty of room. Inside snack bar has adult beverages too.
Local attractions: Outlets right up the road
Things to do to kill time: Outlets
Photography at rink: Olympic side is good. low glass, decent lighting
Other stuff for kids: Canobie Lake is nearby (amusement park place)
