You’ve probably driven past that massive building on Meltzer Court a thousand times. If you live in Central New York, the Cicero Twin Rinks—now officially part of the Midstate Athletic Community Center (MACC)—is basically a landmark. But honestly, most people just see it as a place where kids play hockey at 6:00 AM.
It’s way more than that.
Located at 5575 Meltzer Court in Cicero, NY, this facility has survived ownership changes, technical meltdowns, and the general chaos of the CNY sports scene to become the literal heartbeat of ice sports in the region. Whether you're a parent of a future NHL star, someone looking to learn how to skate without falling on your face, or just a fan of the Syracuse Crunch, this place matters.
The Dual-Surface Advantage
Most local rinks have one sheet of ice. If that sheet has a problem, everyone is out of luck. Cicero Twin Rinks is different because it houses two distinct surfaces.
You’ve got one NHL-sized rink and one Olympic-sized rink.
That distinction is actually a big deal. Olympic ice is wider (usually 100 feet wide compared to the NHL's 85 feet). This extra space is a godsend for figure skaters who need the room for long edge work and massive jumps. It also changes the game for hockey; it’s a more "cerebral" game with more room to move, which is why you’ll see specific tournaments held here that couldn't happen anywhere else in Syracuse.
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Home of the Syracuse Crunch Practice
If you're lucky, you might walk in and see the pros. The facility serves as the official practice ice for the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Seeing an AHL player blast a slap shot in a quiet morning session at the MACC hits a lot differently than seeing it from the nosebleeds at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
Who Actually Runs the Place?
There’s a common misconception that the rinks are a municipal, town-run thing.
Nope.
The facility is owned and operated by the Midstate Youth Hockey Association (MYHA), which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This is important because it means the money flowing through the rink—the tournament fees, the snack bar pretzels, the skate rentals—actually goes back into keeping the ice alive.
They’ve had some rough patches lately. If you follow local news, you might remember the "chiller crisis." In the last couple of years, the aging refrigeration system failed twice in one calendar year. For a rink, that's a death sentence. But the community rallied around a Capital Improvement Fund to replace the system. Without this specific building, youth sports in CNY would literally have nowhere to go. Ice is a finite resource around here, and losing two sheets would be a "calamity," as the MYHA board put it.
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Programs That Actually Matter
If you’re looking to get on the ice, you aren’t just limited to "open skate" (though that’s a blast). The diversity of programs here is pretty wild.
- Midstate Youth Hockey: This is the big one. They host over 13 teams and the "Learn to Play" program. They’ve produced guys like Tim Connolly (who was electric in the NHL, by the way).
- Syracuse Nationals & Upstate Badgers: These are high-level travel organizations. If you see a kid in a tracksuit looking very intense in the lobby, they're probably with the Nationals.
- The Skating Club of CNY: This isn't just "pretty skating." These athletes are hardcore. They offer "Learn to Skate" programs for kids and adults, plus competitive pathways for those wanting to hit the national circuit.
- High School Hockey: Both the Cicero-North Syracuse (C-NS) Northstars and the Fayetteville-Manlius (F-M) Hornets call this place home. There is nothing like a rivalry game here on a Friday night when the bleachers are packed and the glass is rattling.
Beyond the Ice
The transition to the "MACC" name wasn't just branding. They’ve added a fitness center, a spin studio, a dance studio, and even a gymnasium with six basketball hoops. There's even a novice rock climbing wall. Basically, they're trying to make it so you never have to leave.
The Reality of Visiting: Pro-Tips
Let's be real for a second. Ice rinks are cold. Like, actually cold. The Cicero Twin Rinks, despite having high-end LED sports lighting now, still feels like a hockey barn.
Bring a blanket. Even if you think you're "tough," sitting on those metal bleachers for a two-hour practice will sap the soul out of your feet.
The Snack Bar: It’s a classic. Pizza, pretzels, slushies. It’s exactly what you want after a session or during a period break. It's not fine dining, but a warm pretzel when it's 20 degrees outside (and 30 degrees inside) is a core CNY memory.
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Public Skate Hours: They change. Constantly. Don't just show up on a Tuesday at 2 PM and expect to skate. Between high school practices, MYHA games, and Crunch sessions, the schedule is a jigsaw puzzle. Always check their digital calendar or give them a call at (315) 752-7465 before you load the car.
Why This Place Still Matters in 2026
With the new Micron technology plant coming to the area and the general growth of the Syracuse suburbs, the Cicero Twin Rinks is positioned to be more than just a local rink. It's a "sports tourism" hub. They host the Griffin’s Guardians tournament, which draws teams from all over the Northeast.
When people come to town for these tournaments, they stay in local hotels and eat at Cicero restaurants. It’s a massive economic engine for the Northside.
But at its heart, it’s still just about the ice. It’s about the smell of the Zamboni exhaust (which, honestly, is kinda nostalgic) and the sound of skates carving into fresh sheets. It’s a place where kids learn that falling down is fine as long as you get back up—literally.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking to get involved with the Cicero Twin Rinks or the MACC, here is how you actually do it:
- Check the Live Schedule: Visit the official MACC website to see the real-time ice schedule. This is the only way to confirm public skating or "Skate & Shoot" times.
- Register for Learn to Skate: If you have a child (or if you’re an adult who never learned), look into the Skating Club of CNY’s "Learn to Skate" sessions. They usually run in blocks, and first-time registrants often get a discount.
- Support the Capital Fund: If you’re a local business owner or a hockey alum, look into their Capital Improvement Fund. Keeping those chillers running is expensive, and they are always looking for community partners to ensure the doors stay open for the next generation.
- Catch a High School Game: Check the Section III hockey schedule. For about five or ten bucks, you can see some of the most intense, high-energy sports in the county. It’s way cheaper than a pro game and twice as loud.
The Cicero Twin Rinks isn't just a building; it's a community resource that has weathered the storm and come out stronger. Whether you're there for the hockey, the figure skating, or just a bucket of fries from the snack bar, it remains a quintessential part of the Syracuse experience.