You’ve probably heard the rumors or seen the construction tape around White Park over the last couple of years. For a while, the situation with the ice rink Morgantown West Virginia depends on was, honestly, a bit of a mess. One day it was closing for good; the next, it was getting a $15 million overhaul; then suddenly, the plan was scrapped for a cheaper version. It was enough to give any local skater whiplash.
But here’s the good news: we finally have some clarity.
As of early 2026, the landscape of ice sports in Monongalia County has completely shifted. We aren't just a "one-rink town" anymore. If you're looking to lace up some skates, you basically have two very different options depending on whether you want a nostalgic community vibe or a high-tech hockey experience.
The "New" Morgantown Ice Arena at White Park
The classic spot on Mississippi Street—the one managed by BOPARC—just came out the other side of a massive renovation. It officially reopened its doors in late 2025 after being shut down for months of heavy demolition and rebuilding.
Honestly, it needed it.
The old place was charming in a "refrigerated wooden shed" kind of way, but the roof was failing and the mechanical systems were held together by luck and duct tape. The city spent about $4 million to fix the "bones" of the building. They put on a new roof, swapped out the old siding, and—most importantly for the skaters—installed a brand-new chiller system and dehumidification units.
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If you remember the old rink being a foggy, dripping mess on warmer days, those days are mostly gone.
What’s actually different now?
The biggest change isn't just the shiny new dasher boards or the rubberized flooring in the lobby. It’s the vibe. Since the competitive hockey teams moved out to Mylan Park, the ice rink Morgantown West Virginia residents grew up with has pivoted toward being a true community space.
- Public Skating is the priority: You’ll find way more open ice time here than in years past.
- New Party Rooms: They added dedicated space for birthdays, so you aren't just hovering in a corner of the lobby eating cake.
- Totsicles: This is a BOPARC staple. It's basically a 45-minute "chaos on ice" session for kids 5 and under. They can wear shoes or skates, play in snow piles, or push sleds.
- Coffee Club: Early morning sessions for adults who want to skate without a teenager zooming past them at thirty miles per hour.
The Game Changer: Hope Gas Ice Pavilion at Mylan Park
While the White Park rink was getting its facelift, a giant was waking up across town. The Hope Gas Ice Pavilion at Mylan Park opened in September 2025, and it’s a total beast. We’re talking a 48,000-square-foot facility designed for the serious stuff.
This is where WVU Club Hockey and the Morgantown Hockey Association (MHA) live now.
If you want to watch a high-speed game with 1,000 other fans, this is your spot. It’s got the elevated seating and the professional-grade locker rooms that the old city rink just couldn't provide. They also run a "Learn to Skate" program that’s arguably the most structured in the region, using USA Hockey certified coaches.
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Which Rink Should You Actually Visit?
It depends on what you're after.
If you’re a family with little kids who just want to wobble around for two hours on a Sunday afternoon, go to the Morgantown Ice Arena at White Park. It’s cheaper—usually around $6 for admission and a few bucks for rentals. It feels like a neighborhood park because, well, it is.
But if you’re looking for "The Show"—big crowds, crisp new ice, and a pro-shop that actually smells like new gear instead of old socks—you head to Mylan Park.
A quick reality check on scheduling
Don't just show up. Please.
Both rinks have schedules that change faster than the West Virginia weather. White Park usually runs public sessions on Wednesday afternoons, Friday nights, and weekend matinees. Mylan Park tends to reserve the prime evening hours for league play, but they have some killer late-night public skates on the weekends.
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The "Secret" Programs Most People Miss
Most folks think an ice rink is just for skating in circles. In Morgantown, that's not the case. The Morgantown Curling Club is a real thing, and they often host "Learn to Curl" events at the White Park rink. It’s basically chess on ice with heavy granite stones, and it’s way harder than it looks on TV.
There's also "Stick Time."
For the uninitiated, this is open ice for hockey players to just... practice. No games, no checking, just you and a bucket of pucks. It's one of the few places where a 40-year-old beginner can skate alongside a former college player and nobody cares.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Outing
If you're planning to visit an ice rink Morgantown West Virginia offers this weekend, here is the move:
- Check the BOPARC website specifically for the "Inclement Weather" updates. Even though it's an indoor rink, they sometimes delay openings if the Morgantown hills get too icy for the staff to get there.
- Dress in layers. It sounds obvious, but the Mylan Park rink is kept significantly colder to maintain the "hard" ice preferred by hockey players. White Park is a bit more forgiving but can still be drafty.
- Bring your own helmet. While some programs like "Totsicles" require them, both rinks strongly recommend them for beginners. The rental counters usually have a few, but they go fast.
- Register online. Especially for the Mylan Park sessions, they’ve moved toward a QR code system. Buying your ticket on your phone while you're sitting in the parking lot saves you ten minutes of standing in line behind a scout troop.
The "rink wars" of the early 2020s are over. What we’re left with is a surprisingly robust ice scene for a city our size. Whether you're hitting the new ice at White Park or the massive pavilion at Mylan, you've actually got options now.