PARAMOUNT ICELAND

Technical Score: Level 2 +3 GOE for being home to the first Zamboni!
Presentation Score: Level 2 +3 GOE for the Wurlitzer Organ

Paramount Iceland is a nostalgist's dream! This rink opened in 1940, and it has a special place in figure skating history.

Frank Zamboni built the rink's cooling system using a new design that is standard today, and he tested his ice surfacing machine here. The Zamboni machine is now world-famous, is undyingly appreciated by skaters and hockey players everywhere, and is the subject of kitschy, catchy songs by Canadian bands. The first Zamboni is on display at Iceland.

Iceland is home to the Arctic Blades Figure Skating Club. Many well-known skaters have trained here, and a lot of retired speed skaters still do.

This skater isn't well-known (and shouldn't be), but she loves skating at Iceland. I love the vintage feel that has been maintained at the rink, and the ice is nice -- and HUGE. It's an Olympic-sized rink but often feels much larger. The ice itself is usually slightly harder than I like, but I've been there on some days when it is perfect, and aside for a couple of sloping places at the far end (under the organ loft), the surface is very, very even.

The overall facility could use a bit of a facelift. This is an old rink, and while maintaining the nostalgic vibe is important, it's also important to keep a place clean and tidy. Iceland is clean in the sense that there is no trash strewn around, but the restrooms look a bit battered, and the benches in the "put on your skates" area are worn. The boards around the ice's perimeter could stand replacing -- the wood has swelled, so the gates from the hockey boxes onto the ice either don't shut all the way or get jammed easily. I'm waiting for some poor skater to go flying into the boards...and then through them.

If you're going to Iceland just to watch, know that there is not a whole lot of spectator seating, and the hockey boxes are kind of gross.

Despite the slight shabbiness, Iceland is a fun place to skate. A friend of mine goes to their Wednesday morning Coffee Club, which is an adults-only session, and just loves it. I personally love Wurlitzer Night on Tuesdays, when an octogenarian organist (who has played at Iceland for decades!) plays old standards on the rink's organ. It's a lot of fun and a very unique experience!

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