Frank Southern Ice Arena

Bloomington, IN · Public skating times & prices

Built in 1966 beside the new Bloomington High School and still cooled by ammonia pumped under the slab

Public skating at Frank Southern Ice Arena: the next 7 days

Monday, October 12

  • · Public Skate

Tuesday, October 13

  • · Public Skate

Wednesday, October 14

  • · Public Skate

Thursday, October 15

  • · Public Skate

Friday, October 16

  • · Public Skate
Address
2100 S Henderson St, Bloomington, IN 47401
Phone
(812) 349-3740
Website
bloomington.in.gov
Frank Southern Center entrance under a green City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation awning, with an Ice Arena sign. — Frank Southern Ice Arena
Frank Southern Center entrance under a green City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation awning, with an Ice Arena sign. Photo: Brailsford & Dunlavey / BOPARC
An Olympia ice resurfacer crossing the Frank Southern ice surface beneath steel roof trusses. — Frank Southern Ice Arena
An Olympia ice resurfacer crossing the Frank Southern ice surface beneath steel roof trusses. Photo: Brailsford & Dunlavey / BOPARC

Bloomington's city ice arena since 1966

Frank Southern Ice Arena was built in 1966 and named for the local businessman who was instrumental in its creation and construction beside the then-new Bloomington High School on South Walnut Street. The arena was not enclosed until a 1988 renovation, which also expanded the locker rooms, installed an HVAC system and repaired the refrigerant pipes.

The city nearly lost it. In 1996 the administration recommended closing the arena over rising costs and needed capital work, and in 2000 a request for proposals sought a private firm to build a replacement. After more than a year those firms withdrew, so in 2001 Parks and Recreation renovated the existing building instead, funded by a Hill family donation expected to add ten years that has lasted to today. Solar panels arrived in 2017.

Frank Southern is one of the last rinks of its kind using ammonia in a direct-cooling system, pumped straight under the concrete. It logs between 60,000 and 65,000 visits a year. Its regulars are the Bloomington Blades high school team, drawing from Bloomington North and South and Edgewood, the Blades youth program for ages 6 to 14, three IU hockey teams (two men's and one women's), the IU Figure Skating Club and the Bloomington Figure Skating Club, plus themed nights such as Skate & Scare and Skate with Santa.

Before you head out.

Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.

Admission

Skate and Scare, Saturday, Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m. at Frank Southern Ice Arena: admission is $7 per person.

Source checked · · Official source

Skates & rentals

Skate rental at Skate and Scare is $3 per person.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

For up-to-date hours, call the City's Splash and Skate Hotline at 812-349-3741.

Source checked · · Official source

Parking & arrival

The asphalt lot north of the facility has 140 regular spaces plus six accessible spaces. The farthest accessible space is approximately 105 feet from the entry door.

Source checked · · Official source

Accessibility

The entrance has power-operated doors. A wheelchair/mobility-device spectator platform is on the northwest side of the arena, and accessible restrooms are available.

Source checked · · Official source

A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.