Community Corner

$20.7M Ice Rink Proposed For Prince George's Would Replace Existing Facility In Bowie

A $20.7M ice rink has been proposed in Bowie and would replace the current facility. Officials will vote on the project later this month.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A new ice rink may be in the works for the city of Bowie. In 2019, city officials approved plans to build the rink with two sheets of ice. Then a year later, the City Council voted to table the project after new members came on board.

But on Monday, the City Council heard a presentation from the Minnesota-based 292 Design Group, which has built rinks all across the country.

The new proposed ice arena has been designed to match the amenities of the existing Bowie Ice Arena and would include:
  • NHL-size ice sheet
  • Seating for 330 spectators
  • Concessions
  • Meeting rooms
  • Pro shop

The proposed $20.7 million ice rink would feature just one sheet of ice and be built along Maryland Route 197 on undeveloped land at the city-owned Bowie Golf Course. The first proposed rink was to be built on Church Road near where it crosses over U.S. Route 50.

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It was recommended that the city switch sites because the cost of upgrading the existing faciility was considered "exorbitant" and moving to a different location would free up land in Allen Pond Park for other uses.

City leaders will vote on the ice rink later this month along with other budget items. Approximately $3 million of the total cost stems from the fact that the city requires all new construction projects to be LEED silver, according to WTOP. LEED certification dictates the construction process and creates a "green" building.

Find out what's happening in Bowiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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