You’re driving down Waltham Street in West Newton, past those massive stone walls and the kind of pristine rolling hills that make you wonder if you accidentally drove onto a movie set. Most people see The Fessenden School and think "exclusive private boys' school." They aren't wrong. But tucked away on that 41-acre campus is a secret that local hockey parents and figure skaters guard like a winning lottery ticket: the Fessenden Ice Rink Newton MA.
It isn’t just for the "Fessy" boys.
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Honestly, the biggest misconception about this place is that it’s a closed-off fortress. It’s actually a vital hub for the Newton Tigers, local youth programs, and even the City of Newton’s adaptive sports initiatives. If you’ve been looking for ice time in a city where rinks are more crowded than the Mass Pike at 5:00 PM, you’ve probably overlooked this gem.
The Reality of Ice Time at Fessenden
Let’s be real for a second. Ice rinks in Greater Boston are usually freezing, smelling faintly of damp socks and old popcorn, and are often booked solid until 11:00 PM on a Tuesday. Fessenden is a bit different. Because it’s part of a high-end private campus, the facility—officially known by some locals as the Coffin Ice Rink—is kept in remarkably good shape.
It’s a single-sheet facility.
One sheet of ice means you aren't dealing with the chaotic multi-rink madness of a place like Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, but it also means the schedule is tight. You won't find 24/7 public skating here. Instead, Fessenden operates on a "rental-first" model. Most of the time, the ice is filled with Fessenden's own varsity and junior varsity teams or the Newton Tigers youth hockey programs.
But here’s the kicker: they actually do have Stick & Puck sessions and public rentals.
If you want to rent the ice for a private group, it’s going to cost you. Prices typically hover around $300 per hour depending on whether you're a non-profit or a private group. It’s not cheap, but for a private skate in a rink that feels like a professional prep facility? People pay it.
Why the Skate Shop Matters
Most rinks have a "pro shop" that sells three rolls of tape and a flat Gatorade. The Fessenden Skate Shop is actually a legitimate resource. It’s open year-round, which is rare. They do skate sharpening (crucial if you’ve been hitting the outdoor ponds and ruined your edges) and sell the basics.
Hours are usually:
- Monday–Friday: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
If you’re a local parent, knowing where to get a decent sharpen at 7:00 PM on a Wednesday is basically a superpower.
Beyond the Boards: Community and Accessibility
One of the coolest things about the Fessenden Ice Rink Newton MA is the partnership with Newton Athletes Unlimited. This is a program that provides athletic opportunities for people with disabilities. On Thursday nights, you’ll often find the rink filled with skaters who might not have access to the ice elsewhere. It’s a side of the school that doesn't always make the brochures, but it’s a big deal for the Newton community.
The rink also serves as a home base for summer camps.
Coach Jamie Gresser, who has been at Fessenden for over 25 years, runs a serious hockey camp here every August. It’s one of those "if you know, you know" programs where kids get individualized instruction and then jump in the campus pool to cool off. It’s old-school New England summer vibes.
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What You Need to Know Before You Go
Don’t just show up with your skates and expect to get on the ice. This isn't a municipal pond. You have to check the schedule.
- Stick & Puck: Usually $20 per person. Goalies are typically free (because who doesn't love a goalie?).
- Helmets: Non-negotiable. Don't be that person trying to argue with the rink manager.
- Pucks: They provide them for Stick & Puck. No outside pucks allowed—they’re weirdly strict about this, probably to keep the boards and glass from taking unnecessary beatings from "weighted" training pucks.
The rink is located at 11 Fessenden Lane. If you put the main school address into your GPS, you might end up wandering around the admissions office feeling lost. Look for the athletic center entrance.
Is it Better than Daly or Ryan Arena?
This is the debate every Newton hockey dad has at 6:00 AM.
Daly Rink on Nonantum Road is the "classic" choice—it’s a state-run DCR rink. It’s cheaper, sure, but it’s also... well, it’s a DCR rink. It’s open-air adjacent, meaning it gets cold. Like, "bone-chilling" cold.
The John A. Ryan Arena (the JAR) in Watertown is the high-energy hub. It’s got the heated stands and the snack bar.
Fessenden sits in the middle. It’s cleaner and more modern than Daly, but more private and "prep" than the JAR. It feels like a boutique hockey experience. The "skybox" views from the adjacent Children's Center are a weirdly nice touch—little kids in the daycare often spend their afternoons watching the hockey teams practice through giant floor-to-ceiling windows.
Actionable Steps for Using the Rink
If you’re actually looking to get on the ice at Fessenden, stop browsing and do these three things:
- Email the Manager: Don't call the main school line. Email rink@fessenden.org or contact Adam Busalacchi directly. That’s the only way to get a straight answer on ice availability.
- Check the Newton Parks & Rec Portal: For programs like Athletes Unlimited or specific city-run clinics, the registration goes through the Newton MyRec portal, not the school’s website.
- Validate the Schedule: Because it's a private school facility, school events (like a sudden varsity playoff game) will always bump public sessions. Check the rink calendar 24 hours before you head out.
Fessenden isn't the biggest rink in the world. It’s not the most famous. But for a specific kind of skater in Newton, it’s exactly what’s needed: high-quality ice, a great sharpening shop, and a community focus that goes deeper than just the school's tuition.