Ion in Leesburg closing, WLC back to Ft. Dupont?

[Guest]

Ion Training Center was a nice rink when we were at a tournament there a few years ago.  I’m shocked that it would close.

[Guest]

I prefer local auto shop, support small business, not a fan of chain type shops

[Guest]

I prefer local auto shop, support small business, not a fan of chain type shops

Jack Williams Tire Center is pretty good

[BKhockey]

Ah, that sucks about Ion shutting down. I always liked the atmosphere there—it had its own vibe that’ll be hard to replace. Ft. Dupont has the history, sure, but it feels different, more old-school. I’m curious if they’ll make any upgrades to freshen it up or if it’ll stay the same. Hopefully, the energy from Ion can carry over, but it’s hard to say.

[Guest]

I prefer local auto shop, support small business, not a fan of chain type shops

What good is a auto repair shop that only is open 3sometimes 4 days a week, has only 2 employees (father & son) and puts you on a 2 week wait list for an oil change. They have a contract with 3 businesses totaling around 17 vehicles. The company that I work being 10 of them, 2 with the post office and like 5 or 6 with a HVAC/Plumbing company. All they did was hurt the other shop, where the dad worked before, in our area that serviced them. Everyone at the rink was shocked when it closed and most of them weren't willing to drive like we do for practices.   It wasn't a big rink, maybe a little bigger than Hatfield green rink. It wasn't much but it was our local rink and we loved it. It had 5 house teams(2 mite, 1 10U, 1 12U and 1 18U) when it closed that were independent and mostly did B level tournaments. It hosted the house teams, learn to skate and play hockey as well as a school team, a men's league of 4 teams and a sandwich shop/ snack bar(that made the towns best cheese steak). The public skate was always packed and yes I wish the owner would have put it out there that he was thinking about selling. Out of the roughly 70 kids I only know 5 that still play.

[Guest]

I prefer local auto shop, support small business, not a fan of chain type shops

What good is a auto repair shop that only is open 3sometimes 4 days a week, has only 2 employees (father & son) and puts you on a 2 week wait list for an oil change. They have a contract with 3 businesses totaling around 17 vehicles. The company that I work being 10 of them, 2 with the post office and like 5 or 6 with a HVAC/Plumbing company. All they did was hurt the other shop, where the dad worked before, in our area that serviced them. Everyone at the rink was shocked when it closed and most of them weren't willing to drive like we do for practices.   It wasn't a big rink, maybe a little bigger than Hatfield green rink. It wasn't much but it was our local rink and we loved it. It had 5 house teams(2 mite, 1 10U, 1 12U and 1 18U) when it closed that were independent and mostly did B level tournaments. It hosted the house teams, learn to skate and play hockey as well as a school team, a men's league of 4 teams and a sandwich shop/ snack bar(that made the towns best cheese steak). The public skate was always packed and yes I wish the owner would have put it out there that he was thinking about selling. Out of the roughly 70 kids I only know 5 that still play.

that's 1 14U, not 12U

[Guest]

Ah, that sucks about Ion shutting down. I always liked the atmosphere there—it had its own vibe that’ll be hard to replace. Ft. Dupont has the history, sure, but it feels different, more old-school. I’m curious if they’ll make any upgrades to freshen it up or if it’ll stay the same. Hopefully, the energy from Ion can carry over, but it’s hard to say.

Maybe getting back to it's roots is what that program needs for a jolt.  Given the population they attract, they should consistently be one of the better teams in AYHL if run correctly.  Nothing like playing at Ft. Dupont on a cold Saturday night!!  Let's go!!

[Guest]

Have they announced return to Ft. Dupont yet?