If you’ve lived in Cincinnati long enough, you know the building. You’ve probably driven past that stretch of Reading Road a thousand times, maybe glancing at the massive structure tucked away near the intersection of Evendale and Sharonville. It’s the Queen City Sportsplex. But honestly, most people still just call it "Sports Plus."
Names change. Management shifts. Yet, the ice remains.
For anyone searching for Queen City Sportsplex Reading Road Cincinnati OH, you aren't just looking for a map pin. You’re likely looking for a place to skate, a league for your kid, or maybe you're just wondering if the place is even still open given how many times the branding has pivoted over the last decade. It is very much open. It is also one of the most polarizing, essential, and chaotic hubs of Cincinnati athletics.
The Identity Crisis of 10765 Reading Road
Let's get the logistics out of the way first. The facility is located at 10765 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241. For years, this was the undisputed king of multi-sport complexes in the region under the Sports Plus banner. It had everything: basketball courts, volleyball, a bar, and, most importantly, the ice.
Then things got complicated.
A few years back, the facility underwent a transition. Part of it became the Queen City Sportsplex, while other sections seemed to operate under different umbrellas. If you walk in today, you’ll see the remnants of various eras. It’s a bit of a maze. You might be there for a youth hockey tournament, but you'll have to navigate past people heading to a completely different side of the building for a trade show or a basketball practice.
The "Queen City Sportsplex" moniker is now deeply tied to the Cincinnati Cyclones—not the pro team directly in terms of daily office space, but through their youth developmental programs. The Junior Cyclones call this place home. That gives the facility a level of "hockey street cred" that you won't find at smaller municipal rinks.
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Why the Ice is the Main Draw
Cincinnati isn't exactly a winter wonderland, but the hockey subculture here is massive. The Queen City Sportsplex Reading Road Cincinnati OH location serves as the primary heartbeat for that community.
Why? Because they have two full sheets of ice.
In the world of rink management, "two sheets" is the magic number. It means you can run a high-stakes tournament on one side while keeping the other open for public skating, figure skating lessons, or those late-night adult "beer league" games that don't start until 10:45 PM on a Tuesday.
The Junior Cyclones Factor
This is where the high-level training happens. The Queen City Sportsplex is the headquarters for the Cincinnati Junior Cyclones, a Tier II youth hockey organization. If your kid is serious about skating, they’re going to spend a lot of time here. We’re talking about specialized coaching, travel team tryouts, and skill clinics that go way beyond "how to stay upright."
But it’s not just for the elites. They run "Learn to Play" programs that are surprisingly affordable. They basically lower the barrier to entry for a sport that is notoriously expensive. They offer gear rental packages because, let's face it, no parent wants to drop $500 on pads for a kid who might quit in two weeks.
Figure Skating and the "Edge"
Don't overlook the figure skaters. The Queen City Figure Skating Club operates out of here too. It’s a different vibe entirely—early morning sessions where the ice is pristine and the only sound is the blade's edge carving into the surface. They host "Test Sessions" and sanctioned competitions. It’s a sanctioned US Figure Skating member club, which means the coaching has to meet specific national standards.
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The Truth About the Facilities
We have to be real here. This isn't a brand-new, multi-billion dollar suburban megaplex. It’s a legacy building.
The Queen City Sportsplex has character. Some might call it "wear and tear," while others see it as the grit of a real sports factory. The locker rooms are tight. The bleachers are cold (it’s an ice rink, after all). The parking lot can be an absolute nightmare during a regional volleyball tournament when three different events overlap.
But you know what? It works.
The facility has adapted. They’ve integrated better food and beverage options over the years. There’s a pro shop—the Cyclones Ice Den Pro Shop—which is actually one of the better places in the city to get your skates sharpened. If you get a bad sharpen, your game is over before it starts. The guys there know the specific hollows needed for different styles of play. That’s the kind of niche expertise that keeps people coming back to Reading Road instead of going to a more modern, generic facility.
Beyond the Ice: The Multi-Sport Reality
While the ice is the anchor, the Queen City Sportsplex Reading Road Cincinnati OH site often serves as a "catch-all" for Cincinnati athletics.
- Basketball and Volleyball: Large sections of the floor space are dedicated to hardwood or high-impact plastic courts. On any given weekend, you’ll hear the rhythmic squeak of sneakers and the constant whistle of AAU tournaments.
- The Bar and Grill: There is a social element here. Parents need a place to hide while their kids are at practice. The viewing area allows you to watch the action without freezing your toes off, usually with a beer or a basket of fries in hand.
- Event Space: You’ll see everything from "corporate team building" to weirdly specific hobbyist conventions. The sheer square footage makes it one of the only viable spots in northern Cincinnati for mid-sized gatherings that don't want to pay downtown hotel prices.
Practical Advice for Newcomers
If you’re heading to the Queen City Sportsplex for the first time, don't just wing it.
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Dress in layers. This sounds obvious, but the temperature differential between the lobby and the rinks is extreme. I've seen people show up in shorts because it’s 90 degrees outside in July, only to be shivering uncontrollably five minutes later.
Check the schedule online first. The facility’s digital presence can be a bit fragmented. Sometimes the "Sports Plus" site has the info, sometimes it's the "Queen City Sportsplex" site, and sometimes it's the "Junior Cyclones" page. If you're looking for public skate times, call ahead. They often lose public sessions to last-minute tournament rescheduling.
Arrive early for parking. The lot at 10765 Reading Road is big, but it’s shared with other businesses and the layout is a bit awkward. If there’s a major event, you might end up walking from the very back of the lot near the industrial parks.
The Economics of Local Sports
It's worth noting that places like the Queen City Sportsplex are under constant pressure. Maintaining ice is incredibly expensive. The electricity bill alone for the compressors required to keep two sheets frozen in an Ohio humid summer is staggering.
When you pay your ice fees or your tournament entry, you aren't just paying for a game. You're subsidizing a massive mechanical infrastructure. There’s been talk over the years about various renovations or sales, but the core mission remains. It serves a specific, hungry demographic of athletes who need a place to sweat.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Stop treating it like a mystery. If you want to get involved, here is how you actually do it:
- For Aspiring Hockey Players: Look up the "Adult Rookie Class." They periodically run sessions for adults who never learned to play. It’s low-pressure and a great workout.
- For Parents: Don't buy new gear immediately. Visit the pro shop at the Sportsplex and ask about their used gear trade-in or "Try Hockey for Free" days, which usually happen in conjunction with USA Hockey’s national events.
- For Public Skaters: Aim for the weekday afternoon sessions if you want the ice to yourself. Weekend nights are crowded, loud, and full of teenagers—fun if that's your vibe, but a nightmare if you're trying to practice your crossovers.
- For Navigating: Use the Evendale entrance. Reading Road can get backed up, especially during rush hour when people are heading home from the nearby GE plant or other local industries.
The Queen City Sportsplex on Reading Road is a Cincinnati staple. It’s not fancy, it’s not "luxury," but it is the place where the work gets done. Whether you’re there for a Junior Cyclones game or just a quick public skate, it remains one of the most functional pieces of sports infrastructure in the Tri-State area.
Go there for the ice. Stay for the community. Just remember to bring a heavy hoodie, regardless of what the weather looks like outside.