Rachel Shuster

Located in the heart of Worcester’s Canal District at 112 Harding St., Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center is a state-of-the-art private recreational facility that promises to offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Chris Hartly, general manager of the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, has been with the ice center from the start.

“The Worcester community can expect an ice center experience like none other,” Hartly said. “On top of having two NHL-sized ice sheets that are home to four local college teams, five local high school teams, three major youth hockey associations and a practice facility for the Worcester Railers pro team, we house Peak Fitness Performance Training, a Reliant Medical Group rehabilitation/sports medicine office, the Railers merchandise shop, Profiler’s Edge hockey shop and the North American headquarters for ProSharp, who sells automated skate-sharpening machines.”

Hartly said the ice center truly brings something special and fun to the Worcester community. “We are unique because of our atmosphere and having so many things going on under one roof.”

One of those many awesome things is the fact that the Worcester Ice Center is home to some delicious dining options!

“We have two amazing food/beverage spots from the Niche Hospitality Group,” Hartly said. “Nonna’s Pizza & Pasta is a casual, family-friendly, affordable Italian restaurant with a bar, two function rooms and spectacular views overlooking our main game rink and the city.”

Nonna’s is open for lunch and dinner 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The menu includes pizza like Nonna’s Classic, Farm Veggie and Italian Deli; pastas like chicken marsala, shrimp scampi and pasta Bolognese; and grinders like Italian, meatball and shrimp caprese.

“Steam Energy Cafe is all things coffee, plus smoothies, a juice bar and healthy eats with salads, soups, acai bowls and sandwiches,” Hartly said. The café is open 6 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

As for hours, Hartly said, “Each business inside of the ice center has their own operating hours, but the rink’s hours are based on when the ice is being used. Typically, we are open by 6 a.m. and stay open till around midnight.”

Looking to head to the ice center in the “off season?” No such thing! “We are open all year. The only three days we are closed are Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas,” Hartly said.

The ice center also offers events for the community.

“We have public skating, pick-up hockey, noon hockey during the week, Learn to Skate classes and Learn to Play Hockey classes,” Hartly said. There’s also birthday skating parties and Friday and Saturday night Ice Jams, where you can skate with a live DJ!

“We also do a lot of special events for holidays, like a Valentine’s Day Date and Skate, which included dinner at Nonna’s, plus an hour of skating,” Hartly said. He also mentioned that they are putting together a St. Patrick’s Day adult hockey tournament this year.

For more information, visitworcesterice.com.