Leesburg residents urge officials to keep ION ice rink open as owners seek conversion

Dozens of parents, coaches and skaters urged the Leesburg Economic Development Commission on Feb. 5 to oppose a proposed conversion of ION from an ice facility to an event or conference center, saying the rink is essential for youth sports, jobs and local businesses.

The speakers described ION as a regional hub for youth hockey, figure skating and recreational ice programs and said losing the ice would force families to travel outside Leesburg for practices and tournaments. "Please, dear god, please don't take this ice away from these kids," said Marilina Pinto, who identified herself as a coach at ION, speaking of students coping after a recent local tragedy.

The commission's role is advisory; staff and commissioners explained the proposed change would follow the town's zoning and permitting process and is ultimately a property-owner decision. Russell (staff) told the audience that the use proposed for the property is allowed under the zoning ordinance and that the matter would proceed through the town and county planning and zoning process with required criteria and approvals.

Speakers recounted the facility's economic role and local spending tied to tournaments and regular programming. "When my family travels out of town for hockey games and tournaments, we easily spend over a thousand dollars each weekend in hotels, food, and entertainment," said Kim Catterton, who described herself as a Loudoun County Knights hockey parent. Multiple speakers, including Craig Dejarales (who identified himself as a hockey director), said the two-sheet rink serves hundreds of youth teams and that closure would displace about 500 travel-team players and many more recreational skaters.

Several speakers blamed management rather than market demand for the rink's current problems and urged the town and owners to explore options to keep ice programming. "With stronger leadership and proper investment, ION could expand programming, host more tournaments, and increase revenue," Kim Catterton said. Figure skaters and young employees also spoke about jobs and daily access: "I have lessons 3 days a week ... I work at ION, and I'd have to find another job," said Juliet Johns, identifying herself as a figure skater and employee.

At least one speaker raised concerns about permitting documents and property authority. Melissa Matthews, who identified herself as a construction project manager and Leesburg business owner, said the property-owner consent form in the application listed an incorrect owner and that permits were submitted by an entity that, she said, does not own the tenancy. "19201 is owned by CC Skating LLC ... Peterson has not given Mitra the authority to do these plans," Matthews said, urging town review of the paperwork.

Commissioners and staff told the public they had heard the comments and outlined limited next steps the EDC itself can take. Council member Nick Kukowski, present at the meeting, said he would draft a letter requesting the involved parties reconsider the conversion and encouraged people to speak at the Town Council meeting the following Tuesday. "Community engagement is paramount," Kukowski said, inviting speakers to the council meeting.

Commission Chair Robert Cunningham and other commissioners said they would relay the public's concerns to the appropriate officials and that some EDC members had explored purchasing the facility before negotiations with the owners stopped. "We had a plan and we had a path. In the last week and a half to two weeks, they've cut off negotiations," Craig Dejarales said, describing aborted talks to keep the rink as an ice facility.

The commission does not have authority to halt private business decisions that conform to zoning; staff reiterated that any change of use would follow the town's permit review. Several speakers requested a public hearing on the permit application and asked the town to review ownership and permit authorization documents closely.

Next steps recorded at the meeting: the EDC said it would convey the comments to the council member and staff; Nick Kukowski said he would draft a letter to involved parties; staff reiterated the formal permitting path and the public was encouraged to present comments at the next Town Council meeting.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after the public comment period; commissioners said they would carry constituents' concerns forward to the council and, where appropriate, as private citizens seek options to maintain ice programming in Leesburg.