John and Dede Howard Ice Rink

Located off of Willa Drive and adjacent to Whittlesey Park, the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena is a great, family-friendly, ice rink within the City of St. Joseph to bring your friends and family.

 

zamboni

Ice Arena Manager: Carrie Ogonowski
Address: 2414 Willa Drive (Whittlesey Park)
Phone: (269) 983-8795

General Information

The John and Dede Howard Ice Arena was made possible by a generous donation from local residents John and Dede Howard. It has been a great resource to the City by providing fun, family-friendly recreation for the community. Some of the programs the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena hosts are open skating, club hockey, and also our Summer Recreation Program.

The John and Dede Howard Ice Rink is a partially enclosed, refrigerated NHL-sized (200' x 85') outdoor rink. The rink is open to the weather outside; however, it has a roof above it to help protect it from some of the weather's elements. Because it is an outdoor facility, it is subject to weather. Weather may alter the printed schedule of ice times and also the opening and closing dates of the facility. Please either check the news feed of the website or contact the Ice Rink to inquire about weather-related closings.

Ice Arena Open Skate 

 Open Skate

Tentative Ice Arena Opening Date – November 21, 2020

 
The current health situation requires that the Howard Ice Arena operate open public skate at 25% capacity. 
Information for contact tracing is also required.  
Reservations must be made to participate in open skate this season. Please visit www.sjcityparkrec.com to register. 
 
Please create an account to register for your time slot.  Admission and skate rental may be paid when you register. 
If you are unable to attend open skate after making a reservation, your account will be credited for a future date. 
No refunds will be given. Each skater must be registered. 
 
For assistance with your reservation, please call the ice arena at 269.983.8795.
 
COVID-19 Accommodations & Precautions 
 
Two-hour time slots will be available
 
Masks must be worn within the warming hut and on the ice
 
Staff will disinfect high touch surfaces
 
Entrance will be through the warming hut. The warming hut will not be available for changing into skates, 
but benches around the arena will be available. 
Rental skates will be returned to tables near the warming hut when skaters are done.
 
Skates will be disinfected by staff before being returned to the rental counter.
 
Skaters will exit the arena through the door on the north end of the building near the locker rooms.
 
Restrooms in the warming hut and next to the party room will be available for use.  
Restrooms will be sanitized every two hours.
 
Concessions are not available at this time.
 

Ice Arena Open Skate

Stick Puck

Stick & Puck is for hockey skill development and practice. 

NO GAMES or scrimmages will be allowed.  
Activities allowed and encouraged are shooting, stick handling and passing with other players. NO GAMES 
 
Players MUST pre-register for Stick & Puck this season.  Visit www.sjcityparkrec.com  to register. 
Capacity will be limited to 24 players and season passes are not currently available. 
 
Locker rooms are NOT available. Players may arrive 10 minutes before the session and need to leave 
10 minutes after the session ends.  Please come dressed.  Benches around the arena will be available to change into skates. 
 
ONLY 1 spectator per player allowed during stick and puck.  
Spectators will NOT be allowed to gather in the warming hut to watch.  
 
Everyone MUST wear a helmet and gloves. Players under age 16 must wear full gear. 
 
No age limit. Please be respectful to EVERYONE on the ice.
 

Ice Rink Amenities

  • Concession Stand
  • Enclosed Roof
  • Open Skate
  • Rental (for personal use or club)
  • Skate Rental
  • Warming Shelter
  • Zamboni
Winter Schedule and Rates

The ice arena is closed for the season and will re-open in mid-November.

Rental Information

For information about renting/reserving the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena, please click here.

Other Forms and Relevant Information

St Joseph Downtown Vision

Explore St. Joseph, MI