Bloomington: Parks and Recreation Begins Discussion About the Future of Frank Southern Ice Arena

Bloomington, Ind. ~ Bloomington's Frank Southern Ice Arena has been closed since March due to an ammonia leak, but the Parks and Recreation department is now taking steps towards reopening the facility and discussing its future.

The leak occurred just two days before the end of the 2025-26 skating season, prompting concerns for the safety of participants and staff. Since then, Parks and Recreation staff have been working with contractors and experts to assess the arena's refrigeration infrastructure and operational needs. A report on the history, impacts, risks, and options for the arena was presented to the Board of Park Commissioners at their meeting on March 23, 2026.

After evaluating the necessary repairs to safely operate the facility, the department plans to move forward with a contract and aims to reopen in Fall 2026. However, this is not the only consideration being made for Frank Southern Ice Arena.

As Bloomington begins implementing its five-year master plan, which outlines systemwide capital priorities, a broader discussion about the facility's future is needed. This includes looking at ongoing maintenance and capital needs, operational costs, demand for ice sports and recreation opportunities, as well as challenges in maintaining an aging facility within budget constraints.

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To kickstart this discussion, Parks and Recreation has invited representatives from local stakeholder groups and user organizations to participate in a meeting focused on future operations and community priorities. Further opportunities for community input will also be available in the future.

Parks and Recreation Director Tim Street emphasized that Frank Southern Ice Arena has been a beloved recreation facility for generations of Bloomington residents. He stated that moving forward, they want to have open conversations about its needs and what level of investment is necessary to ensure its longevity – especially considering other facilities within their department also require similar investments.

The arena offers various recreational activities such as skating sessions, youth and adult hockey leagues, figure skating programs, learn-to-skate programs, among others.

More information about stakeholder meetings and future public engagement opportunities will be shared as details become available. Interested individuals can sign up to receive emails about upcoming meetings and discussions regarding Frank Southern Ice Arena.

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