Parents, coaches ask Loudoun supervisors to preserve ION ice facility amid proposed conversion
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Users of the ION International Training Center urged the board to avoid using county funds to support a plan that would convert the privately owned ice facility into a performing arts center, saying the change would displace nearly 1,000 youth skaters and harm the local hockey community.
Parents, coaches and community members told the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 22 that the proposed repurposing of the ION International Training Center into a performing arts and conference facility would displace youth hockey and figure‑skating programs and asked the county not to use public funds to support such a conversion.
Brianne Carr, speaking on behalf of hundreds of families, said ION has been a "vital resource for youth hockey, figure skating and recreational ice sports" and that current ownership92s proposal to repurpose the facility "would harm the community and makes little economical sense." Carr asked whether the county was considering buying ION or would provide grants to a privately owned facility, and said the community would prefer county help that preserves ice time or funds construction of new ice to serve displaced youth.
Richard George, a Leesburg resident and parent of two youth hockey players, described the rink as a community hub that supported families, hotel stays and local businesses tied to tournaments and travel. "I am in full support of an Eastern Loudoun Performing Arts Center. It's a great idea, but not at ION," he said, and urged the board not to allocate tax dollars to ION92s current management if that funding would displace area youth.
Speakers said they have seen financial mismanagement at ION under current ownership and warned against using county funds to assist a private owner planning to end ice operations. Chair Randall acknowledged the concerns and told at least one parent that she would schedule follow‑up meetings with parents and county staff to discuss options.
No formal county action was announced at the Feb. 22 public hearing; speakers requested information about county plans and funding options and asked the board to consider alternatives that would preserve ice access for youth athletes in eastern Loudoun.
The comments raise questions for county staff and supervisors about whether public funds could or should be used to preserve privately owned community recreational facilities and whether acquisition, grants, or incentives would be available to maintain ice programming in the county.