Local news from Fairfax County, Virginia

The Washington Capitals will soon open a new sports facility in Northern Virginia – one that is likely to be far less controversial than the team owner’s failed attempt to build an arena in Alexandria.

According to the Fairfax County Park Authority, installation of the inline skating rink donated by the Washington-based professional hockey team to Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) in Reston is expected to be completed this week.

The Parks Department and Capitals will celebrate the project’s completion this Saturday (May 11) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a free ball hockey lesson at the rink this Saturday (May 11) from 10 a.m. to noon.

The 85-foot-by-185-foot rink is located adjacent to Lake Fairfax Park’s campground, sports fields and skate park and is the first facility of its kind at a county park, says FCPA spokesman Benjamin Boxer. It has players’ and penalty areas, hockey goals, stands and “adequate” lighting to support daytime and evening use.

The rink, under construction since last June, was built with sports floor tiles on an asphalt base, making it “ideal for roller hockey and skating” and allowing for “easy maintenance and modular tile replacement,” according to the park authority.

“There is literally something for everyone in the Fairfax County parks system,” Boxer told FFXnow via email. “This new roller skating rink is a first for the Park Authority and provides residents with another recreational option and continues our commitment to offering a wide variety of programs and facilities to meet the interests and needs of a diverse community.”

The roller skating rink is the product of an ongoing partnership between Fairfax County and the Capitals that began in 2021 when Fairfax County Public Schools joined the NHL team’s school hockey program, according to Peter Robinson, director of youth hockey development at Capitals.

Offered in 1,601 local schools, reaching a total of over 1 million students, the program provides floor hockey equipment, teacher training and a tailored curriculum to physical education teachers in all FCPS elementary and middle schools.

“The Washington Capitals are committed to growing the sport of ice hockey by providing access to the sport in all its forms,” Robinson said. “Part of this growth strategy is investing in the off-ice game by building facilities and creating programs within the community.”

Robinson says the team “jumped at the opportunity” to expand its partnership with the county by collaborating on the ball/roller skating rink at Lake Fairfax Park.

Although the facility was donated by the Capitals, the Parks Department was responsible for site preparation and supporting infrastructure. The project cost the county an estimated $1.9 million, which came from parks bonds approved by voters in 2020.

“Over the last decade, the Washington Capitals, along with the NHL/NHLPA, have invested over $3.5 million to grow the game off the ice,” Robinson said via email. “This rink project is part of that overall investment strategy and we are excited to be able to offer programming at the new rink starting this summer.”

The Capitals’ on-rink program begins this Saturday with the Free Hockey Clinic, part of the team’s Try Hockey for Free program. Starting at 11 a.m., the course offers participants the opportunity to practice stick handling, passing, shooting and small games.

Although the clinic is free, prior registration is required as space is limited. Community members do not need to bring any equipment or prior hockey experience to participate.

Details of future programs, including clinics and summer clinics, will be posted on the Capitals Youth Hockey Development website.

The Lake Fairfax roller skating rink is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The rink can be reserved for $75 per hour. If no reservations are made, it will be open to the general public free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, Boxer says.