After closing last April for renovations, the University’s Class of 1923 Ice Rink has officially reopened.
The event last Friday marked the completion of upgrades to lighting, heating, cooling and electric and enhancements to enable the complex to extend to year-round operation. These renovations will extend the rink’s service to the skating community at Penn. The $8.2 million renovation was made possible by collaboration between the Penn Ice Rink and Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.
“Gritty,” the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, kicked off the festivities by taking to his skates for a free-spirited game with the youngest members of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey League. Members of the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni, the Penn Hockey Club and alumni, and officials from Snider Hockey then took part in a ribbon slashing skate before Gritty gave the puck drop and the two teams played off against one another in a friendly exhibition game. The Snider team edged out Penn 4-3.
The Penn Ice Rink has hosted Snider Hockey since the organization’s inception in 2005. The newly refurbished skating facility will become a home to Snider Hockey, serving hundreds of Philadelphia public schoolchildren.
