McFetridge Sports Center (Chicago)

Chicago, IL · Public skating times & prices

The Chicago Park District's first indoor ice rink, built in 1974 and named for William McFetridge.

Public skating at McFetridge Sports Center (Chicago): the next 7 days

Sunday, October 11

  • · Public Skate · $6

Monday, October 12

  • · Public Skate · $4

Tuesday, October 13

  • · Public Skate · $4
  • · Public Skate · $4

Wednesday, October 14

  • · Public Skate · $6
  • · Public Skate · $4
  • · Public Skate · $4

Thursday, October 15

  • · Public Skate · $4
  • · Public Skate · $4

Friday, October 16

  • · Public Skate · $4
  • · Public Skate · $4

Saturday, October 17

  • · Public Skate · $6

Admission and skate rental

Admission
$8 · Official source
Address
3843 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Hours
Daily 6 AM – midnight — see schedule below
Phone
(773) 478-2609
Website
mcfetridgesportscenter.com
The low brick front of the McFetridge Sports Center on California Avenue in Chicago, reached by twin walkways across a planted plaza — McFetridge Sports Center (Chicago)
The low brick front of the McFetridge Sports Center on California Avenue in Chicago, reached by twin walkways across a planted plaza Photo: Google Maps listing · Source
A public session spread across the whole sheet — McFetridge Sports Center (Chicago)
A public session spread across the whole sheet Photo credit not recorded
The Main Rink's full sheet during a busy public session, seen from the corner walkway, with the Chicago Ice Skates club banner, the US and Canadian flags and the dasher boards along the far side — McFetridge Sports Center (Chicago)
The Main Rink's full sheet during a busy public session, seen from the corner walkway, with the Chicago Ice Skates club banner, the US and Canadian flags and the dasher boards along the far side Photo: McFetridge Sports Center · Source

The Chicago Park District's first indoor rink

McFetridge Sports Center stands in California Park, one of six parks created by the old River Park District, where a small 1928 brick fieldhouse once stood. In the 1970s the Chicago Park District demolished that fieldhouse, and in 1974 it built a new indoor sports complex, the first of its kind for the park district and home to its first indoor ice rink and indoor tennis courts. On May 7, 1975, the building was dedicated as McFetridge Sports Center, honoring William McFetridge, park district president in 1968 and vice president for the 22 years before.

Today it has year-round ice with bleachers seating 1,200 and 220, six indoor tennis courts, six pickleball courts, two dance rooms and a wellness center, and it is busy 18 hours a day. Its calendar includes the Schools' Out figure skating competition, an annual ice show, an adult hockey league and the River Dogs hockey teams.

For years it had the only indoor rink in the city. Figure skater Larry Holliday was allowed to skate here for free as a young athlete and now coaches at McFetridge, and Jon Hey recorded skating sounds for a Midway video game on its ice.

Before you head out.

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

Admission

Freestyle Ice drop-in sessions cost $8 per hour; skaters may also pre-pay $64 to reserve a weekly spot for the full 8-week session.

Source checked · · Official source

Skates & rentals

Skate rental for public skate is $4, charged separately from admission.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

Public skate is drop-in or advance registration: patrons may register online ahead of time or pay at the front desk when they arrive.

Source checked · · Official source

Parking & arrival

McFetridge has 150 free parking spaces in the lot next to the building, including 8 ADA spaces.

Source checked · · Official source

Accessibility

The main entrance has ADA doors with operator buttons, the adjacent lot has 8 ADA parking spaces, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms serve the main lobby and both rinks.

Source checked · · Official source

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