Polar Ice Raleigh adding second ice rink as hockey interest soars

RALEIGH, N.C. — Site plans show Polar Ice Raleigh is expanding, adding a second ice rink as hockey and skating grow in popularity in the South.

The Olympic-sized ice rink located at 2601 Raleigh Blvd. offers public skating, skating lessons, figure skating and hockey for children and adults.

The plans call for a second ice rink, bathrooms, locker rooms and equipment storage. Triangle Business Journal reports restaurant service and seating will also be added.

An increased interest in hockey in Raleigh is largely due to the success of the Carolina Hurricanes, the only major league professional sports franchise in the Triangle. Raleigh has hosted a number of major NHL events in recent years, including the draft and All-Star game.

In February 2023, the Stadium Series – Raleigh’s first outdoor Canes game – was held at Carter-Finley Stadium. Visit Raleigh reports the game alone generated over $20 million for the local economy.

Scott Dupree, who has been part of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance since its inception in the late 1990s, told WRAL News in 2023 the city’s early and continued success as a major hockey market is more than he could’ve imagined.

“You would’ve had a hard time convincing me of that,” he said. “I would’ve thought you were crazy.”

Polar Ice also has locations in Cary and Garner.