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Cleland opened in 1976, during the
heyday for roller skating rinks in the
south. Initially, it was designed to be
both a roller skating rink and an ice
skating rink. In those days the rink was
only covered with ice during the winter
months. It operated like that for 10
years and then was closed in 1987 for
renovations. It reopened in 1990 as an
ice rink because there were already other
roller skating rinks in town. Currently,
Fort Bragg is the only regular Army
installation with an ice rink.
On weekends these days, teen and
pre-teen girls cluster together on the
ice, whispering and giggling while teen
and pre-teen boys zip around the rink,
racing each other and hoping to impress
the girls. On weekday afternoons and
evenings, children and teens arrive at
Cleland for private and group lessons
in skating, figure skating and hockey
and there are about 100 kids currently
involved in the youth hockey league
there. Some children choose to have their
birthday parties at the ice rink, Family
Readiness Groups at Fort Bragg and Pope
Air Force Base have family events there
and families come during public skate
sessions just to spend time together. The
Fayetteville FireAntz even practice there
when they are unable to use the Crown
Center.
"So many of us from the north are
born with skates on our feet," said Liz
Egetoe, the skating director at Cleland.
Egetoe, who is from Michigan, teaches
beginning skating as well as figure skating
Above | Ice skates can be rented at Cleland.
