It was the summer after third grade, and I was hot and sweaty from playing tag in the park next to Motto McLean Ice Arena, where I was attending the party of the year: ice skating with the entire class invited.  Finally, all the kids were dropped off and the birthday girl’s parents gathered us to go in. The cool air of the rink was bliss on my red cheeks.  Immediately, the smell of popcorn filled my nose, but I was so excited to skate. I was not even hungry.  I laced up the skates I chose—figure skates, not hockey ones like some of the boys in my class– they fit tight, locking my ankles.   

However, many class parties had taught me that the discomfort would soon be drowned out by the magical glide of metal on ice.  Soon, I was on the ice in a rink filled with other sticky elementary schoolers and scary middle schoolers.  My friends and I spent hours sliding around, holding hands, racing, trying to do tricks, and of course, falling. Eventually, a hockey or figure skating team- would show up and kick us off the ice. Reluctantly, we would hobble off to our parents to beg for a $1 bag of popcorn for the happy, sleepy ride home.   

Now, as a senior in high school, I returned to the Hitchcock ice rink.  It was smaller than I remember but still packed with happy kids.  Now I see why so many kids in my lower-middle income school celebrated their birthdays there.  A day pass is only $5 and the many snack- nachos, chips, candy, pop, and popcorn-are all under $3. Overall, it is an extremely affordable activity, especially for its location. 

However, the catch with Hitchcock is that its schedule differs each day and each week.  Hockey and figure skating can also show up online as part of “open skate” hours, so knowing when the rink is actually available to the public is impossible without a call.  Still great for planned events, just not spontaneous plans.   Nostalgia aside, —Hitchcock wins for affordability, just not availability.