How to Start an Ice Skating Rink

Many people enjoy ice skating or participate in sports that take place on ice rinks. Ice skating rinks provide the public and teams with a place to skate, for which individuals and teams pay. According to IBISWorld, the ice rink industry brings in $618 million annually and is growing.

Learn how to start your own Ice Skating Rink and whether it is the right fit for you.

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Start an ice skating rink by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Ice Skating Rink
  2. Form your Ice Skating Rink into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Ice Skating Rink for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Ice Skating Rink
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Ice Skating Rink
  7. Get Ice Skating Rink Insurance
  8. Define your Ice Skating Rink Brand
  9. Create your Ice Skating Rink Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your ice skating rink. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Ice Skating Rink Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state's business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your ice skating rink?

Business Name Generator

What are the costs involved in opening an ice skating rink?

The startup costs involved in opening an ice skating rink are high. One feasibility study for an ice rink in Europe placed the startup costs at  €2.3 million (about $2.5 million). These expenses broke down as follows:

  • $1.34 million for construction costs (e.g. foundation, walls, roofing, etc.)
  • $523,000 for mechanical and electrical works (e.g. plumbing, heating, electricity, etc.)
  • $109,000 for site finishing (e.g. landscaping, external fittings, etc.)
  • $180,000 for equipment (e.g. an ice resurfacer, a scoreboard, etc.)
  • $255,000 for design and project management (including salaries of project managers)
  • $215,000 for project development costs

While it may be tempting to reduce an ice rink business’ startup expenses by making concessions on construction or technology costs, properly constructing a rink and using high-quality technology help keep ongoing expenses manageable. Reducing these upfront expenses can lead to prohibitively expensive ongoing costs because the ice will require more energy to be kept in proper condition.

What are the ongoing expenses for an ice skating rink?

The ongoing expenses for an ice skating rinks are high. Ice rinks must pay for electricity, which is used to keep the ice cool, other utilities, maintenance and staffing. In some cases, the ongoing expenses are partially paid for by a municipality so that an ice skating rink is financially feasible.

Who is the target market?

An ice skating rink’s ideal client is a sports league, such as a hockey, figure skating, speed skating or curling league. A league will need to rent ice time for multiple practices and games, which will provide a stable income for the season. Additionally, several players may rent additional ice time for individual training.

How does an ice skating rink make money?

An ice skating rink makes money by charging customers to use the business’ ice rink(s). Most rinks offer a combination of open skating, in which the public is welcome to skate for an admission fee, and ice time rental, in which teams and organizations pay in advance to rent an ice rink.

How much can you charge customers?

Ice skating rinks typically charge around $10 per person for an open skate, and many rinks charge an additional fee for renting ice skates if the customers didn’t bring their own. They’ll frequently charge over $100 per hour for renting an ice rink. For example, the Oakland Ice Center charges $10.50 per adult for open skating. Ann Arbor Ice Cube charges anywhere from $212 to $311 for rink rentals depending on the season, day, and time period.  

How much profit can an ice skating rink make?

Ice skating rinks can bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, but much of their revenue goes towards operating expenses. Many ice rinks aren’t profitable unless they’re debt free, which is why municipalities often run or subsidize rinks.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Ice skating rinks can increase their revenue by offering concessions, leagues and clinics. They may also offer events like birthday parties.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your ice skating rink is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services. You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

  • Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
  • Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an ice rink. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

For information about local licenses and permits:

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Liability Waivers

To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, ice rinks should have their clients sign waivers. An example of an appropriate waiver can be found here

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your skating rink business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on-call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Certificate of Occupancy

An ice rink is generally run out of a large indoor space, though they can also be outdoors. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to an ice rink.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your ice rink will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Ice Skating Rink needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Ice Skating Rink.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market an ice skating rink

Most of an ice skating rink’s promotional and marketing efforts should be focused on the 5- and 10-mile radiuses it serves. Businesses can target ice skaters and sports teams within this area through social media marketing, direct mail and onsite signs.

How to keep customers coming back

An ice skating rink can set itself apart from the competition by offering affordable rates for ice time and having a more updated facility. Offering low rental rates for off-peak hours can help a business gain more rentals during off hours, which might provide enough revenue to let the business lower its rates for peak hours slightly. Also, investing in small maintenance items, such as fresh paint and upgrading toilets, can make a big difference in how well customers perceive a facility to be.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Anyone who has a passion for ice skating may enjoy running an ice skating rink. While knowing how to skate won’t help balance the business’ financial sheet, an enthusiasm for ice skating and related sports can help business owners connect with customers.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at an ice skating rink?

A typical day’s tasks at an ice skating rink involve:

  • Checking the ice’s condition
  • Welcoming customers and taking admission fees (if paying on a per-use basis)
  • Making sure teams and organizations renting ice time are properly set up
  • Repairing any malfunctioning equipment
  • Cleaning the facility

When not directly interacting with customers or working on equipment, business owners frequently spend time managing employees, scheduling teams’ practices, games and tournaments, promoting their ice rink, and paying bills.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful ice skating rink?

Successfully running an ice skating rink requires a knowledge of both the industry and how to properly maintain ice rinks. The U.S. Ice Rink Association offers courses in both of these areas. There are also two ebooks available, Ice Skating Rink Business Plan and Ice Skating Rink Facility Startup Business Plan, that may help business owners learn about the industry.

What is the growth potential for an ice skating rink?

Most ice skating rinks have one or two locations that serve a particular city or area. A single location can have more than one rink. Holiday & Leisure Rinks is an example of a large ice rink business that operates two locations, which each have two rinks.

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Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting an ice skating rink?

When starting an ice skating rink, selecting the right location is key. In general, the Ice Skating Institute says a rink should have 100,000 people within a 5-mile radius, and 250,000 people within a 10-mile radius -- and there shouldn’t be any other rinks in the area. Additionally, a rink ideally will be close to all of the following:

  • A major highway interchange, so the rink is easy to get to
  • A school, which makes it easy to market to students and parents
  • Hotels, so the ice rink can host tournaments and provide lodging options for out-of-town teams
  • Health clubs, which may be willing to partner with an ice rink on cross promotions.

How and when to build a team

An ice skating rink requires a team of employees and subcontractors. People are needed from the outset to welcome skaters, maintain the ice and repair any malfunctioning equipment. A rink may also want to work with coaches and referees to set up its own sports leagues and offer specialized clinics.

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