Editorial Policy & Methodology
USA Skating Rinks publishes a directory of skating rinks in the United States and a small library of guides on opening, operating, and using skating rinks. This page explains how we research and verify what we publish, who reviews it, and how to flag errors.
How we build the directory
The rink listings on this site combine public business data (Google Places API, public business registries, association directories), self-submitted records from rink operators, and manual review by our team. Each listing shows the rink's address, phone number, website where available, posted operating hours from public sources, and recent Google review counts and ratings at the time of last refresh.
Operating hours and prices change frequently and seasonally. We refresh listings periodically but cannot guarantee real-time accuracy. The disclaimer on every listing recommends confirming hours and admission with the rink before visiting.
How we research the guides
Our guides cover topics like construction costs, business plans, surface and equipment options, and backyard rink setups. We research each guide using:
- Trade associations (Roller Skating Association International, US Ice Rink Association, USA Roller Sports, USA Hockey)
- Manufacturer documentation and product pages from established vendors (NiceRink, Iron Sleek, Glice, Xtraice, Becker Arena Products, Stinger Equipment, Cimco Refrigeration)
- Trade publications covering recreation, family entertainment, and ice rink operations
- Public government documents on commercial construction, zoning, and recreation facility standards
- Manufacturer pricing pages where published, and independent operator reports in trade media
Every guide includes a Sources section at the end with links to the materials we drew specific claims from. When we cannot find a defensible source for a number or claim, we either omit it or explicitly mark it as a hedged range.
What we will not publish
- Fabricated personal anecdotes or invented case studies presented as first-hand experience.
- Specific dollar figures without a traceable source.
- Named athletes, clubs, leagues, or facilities tied to claims we cannot verify.
- Affiliate or paid product placement disguised as recommendation. If a guide mentions a vendor by name, it is because the vendor is widely used in the industry — not because of a commercial relationship.
Who writes and reviews this
Guides are drafted with AI research assistance against the sources listed above, then reviewed by the USA Skating Rinks editorial team before publication. We are not professional rink consultants and do not provide engineering, legal, financial, or insurance advice. Anyone making decisions about construction, business formation, insurance, or large equipment purchases should consult licensed professionals in their jurisdiction.
Corrections
If you spot an error — a wrong figure, an outdated vendor, a misnamed product, a closed rink still listed as open — email hello@usaskatingrinks.com or use the contact form. We update guides and listings as corrections come in and stamp each guide with its most recent update date.
Updates
Every guide displays the date it was last reviewed. Substantial revisions (new figures, new regulations, replaced vendors) trigger a fresh date stamp. Minor copy edits do not.
Last reviewed: May 29, 2026.