Discover the Untold Legacy of Norwich University Ice Rink: A History of Excellence You Can't Miss!

Norwich University, a private university in Northfield, Vermont, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1819. Established as the "American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy" by Captain Alden Partridge, the university has evolved over the years, adapting to changing times while maintaining its commitment to academic and military excellence.

Partridge believed in the "American System of Education," a traditional liberal arts curriculum with instruction in civil engineering and military science. His academy inspired several military colleges throughout the nation, including The Citadel. It also was a model for the land grant colleges created through the Morrill Act of 1862.

The story of Norwich University's ice rink is one of evolution, adaptation, and community partnership. From early proposals to its current state-of-the-art facility, the rink has become an integral part of the university and the surrounding community.

Early Proposals and the Opening of Norwich Municipal Ice Rink

A municipal ice rink was first proposed in Norwich in the 1990s. Early proposals would have placed the ice rink in or around downtown, though the location kept changing. Voters approved $3 million for the ice rink at its current site on Election Day in 1994, The Bulletin’s Editorial Board stated on Nov. 9, 1994.

The Norwich Municipal Ice Rink was opened in November 1995 as a “first-class” venue, then Ice Arena Authority Chairman Michael Goldblatt told The Bulletin in a Nov. 21, 1995 article. “The feedback we’re getting is that this is one of the nicest facilities in New England,” he said.

Transition to RoseGarden Ice Associates

Initially managed by the Ice Arena Authority, the rink needed repairs over time. General Manager Shannon Fitzgerald, who joined the Ice Arena in a different role in 2010, said things were rocky to start. The city had pressured the Norwich Ice Authority about maintenance and spending. In 2013, the tiller and the refrigeration unit had a “catastrophic failure,” and the rink shut down for awhile, she said.

The refrigeration unit was repaired, but it failed again after six weeks. Then the city operated the ice rink with a rental chiller for one season. The rental costs were the final straw for the city to seek private management, Fitzgerald said.

There were three operators bidding to run the Ice Arena, including the Norwich RoseGarden Ice Associates, Fitzgerald said. The Norwich City Council accepted the first contract in July 2014. The private operators would make major decisions, and the Norwich Ice Authority was made an advisor instead of an operator, The Bulletin reported on July 8, 2014.

The deal was made official in August 2014; the Associates invested $1.6 million into the rink, and the renovations were quickly finished, Fedick said. “We pretty much gutted the place and put it back together again,” she said.

Upgrades were made all over the arena, from the refrigeration equipment and the lobby to the bathrooms and the rink ceiling. The rink reopened in December 2014, Fitzgerald said.

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A little over a decade ago, Norwich’s ice rink was in poor condition. Now, its future is secure, thanks to a new contract with Norwich RoseGarden Ice Associates. Norwich RoseGarden Ice Associates agreed to a new 10-year contract with Norwich to operate the RoseGarden Ice Arena with the option of three additional 10-year periods. The contract was finalized during the Feb. 18 Norwich City Council meeting.

The new contract cleans up the language and makes things easier for both parties. Two documents were reduced to one. The contract itself has no impact on patrons, Associates Managing Partner Lisa Fedick said.

The additional 10-year terms are important because it incentivizes the Associates to continue investing in the RoseGarden Ice Arena and keep it state of the art, she said.

Activities and Programs at RoseGarden Ice Arena

While the full schedule can be found online, some highlights of the programing include public skate, figure skate sessions, hockey sessions, and adult hockey leagues. Coast Guard hockey team, also use the ice, Fitzgerald said.

The Ice Arena also has two off-season summer ice skating camps, Fitzgerald said. Norwich residents continue to visit the RoseGarden Arena due to the quality of the facility and its friendly atmosphere for recreational skaters, Fedick said.

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As there are relatively few ice rinks in the area, many people choose the Ice Arena due to its location and cleanliness. Fitzgerald is also proud of the rink’s youth programs, she said. “My kids grew up skating, and I really felt like it kept them out of trouble,” Fitzgerald said.

In terms of figure skating, the program has around 130 students during the season, plus other students taking private lessons, skate instructor Maria Smelser said.

Why the Ice Skaters Like It

One of the ice skating students, 10-year-old Anna Lieveid of Norwich, began ice skating almost a year ago. She likes seeing others skate, and enjoys the friendly atmosphere.

Another student, Norwich resident Madeline Crosby, said she used to travel to Boston three days a week to practice her ice skating. “This being so close, I get to practice almost every single day, which helped me improved over the years,” she said.

Looking to the Future

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While the Ice Arena is fully booked from Thanksgiving to early March, Fedick wants to explore more opportunities for off-season activities. Otherwise she’s “pleased with how the business has grown and evolved in the past 10 years,” she said.

Fitzgerald hopes the Associates continue to run the Ice Arena for decades to come. She wants to stay at the Ice Arena.