New rink would expand Figure in Skating Harlem’s pioneering youth development program, create a community hub, and satisfy tremendous unmet demand for ice time across New York City
Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) today announced its intent to build a year-round, state-of-the art indoor skating and educational facility in Harlem to own and operate. FSH is the only organization in the world for under-resourced girls that combines the power of education with access to the artistic discipline of figure skating. The organization seeks an optimum development site and potential partner for a project that would meet the enormous demand from its own community, as well as several others across New York City—including private schools, skating clubs, and other nonprofits—for an enclosed National Hockey League regulation-size ice skating rink and associated facilities. Construction of the rink is expected to generate upwards of $70 million in economic impact, and more than 300 jobs. The annual economic impact of its operations is anticipated to exceed $3 million.
Since its founding in 1997 with a handful of girls from East Harlem, Figure Skating in Harlem has helped more than 1,500 girls grow in confidence, leadership and academic achievement. One hundred percent have subsequently graduated from high school and the vast majority matriculated into college, now working in every career sector, graduates of prestigious universities and giving back to their communities.
Today, FSH’s globally renowned program is at capacity during the school year with 200 girls, a limit overwhelmingly due to the scarcity of ice time locally. Competition for available ice combined with climate change–which makes outdoor rinks unusable from March to November—means each FSH student can average as little as 3 hours a week on the ice, 4.5 months per year. Although the organization’s primary goal is not to train Olympic-level skaters, this lack of access limits true representation in the sport, which the United States Figure Skating Association has declared “is for everyone.”
Ice access is FSH’s most significant pain point as an established nonprofit, with seventy percent of participants requesting more ice time. In warmer months, students and families endure long commutes and difficult conditions across the patchwork of rinks at which the program spends more than $100,000 annually to rent ice time year-round. Building a new facility will allow Figure Skating in Harlem to align the on-ice time offered with demand for their programs; reduce travel time for students, parents, and staff to ice locations; and immediately triple the number of students enrolled, as well as expand to including boys.
“Over the past three decades, we have proven that girls can transform their lives as they embody the resilience, grit, and determination that skating demands. Our students develop an incredible sense of self-worth, limited only by the ice time available to them,” said Sharon Cohen, CEO of Figure Skating in Harlem. “All children deserve access to ‘home ice’ of their own–both those skating with us today and the many more who we could serve without the severe ice constraint we face. And we know we are not alone–communities and programs across the city and region are also demanding ice that simply does not exist right now. With the right site for our Harlem home, we will change that and exponentially grow our impact.”
In 2024, Figure Skating in Harlem commissioned a feasibility study to better understand the demand and financial viability of a new ice rink and educational facility. Findings indicated that New York City’s demand for ice greatly exceeds the amount of time available for a multitude of programs and communities including hockey leagues, adult leagues, skating clubs, school teams, and public skates. The study estimates that between September 2023 and 2024, more than 200,000 New York City residents participated in ice skating, making city residents much more likely to go ice skating than the national average.
The study also included preliminary programming and conceptual design from architecture and design firm Gensler to help Figure Skating in Harlem develop an approach to site requirements for the facility.
“Creating a state-of-the-art ice skating rink with Figure Skating in Harlem is a win-win-win situation for the organization, its students, and the community,” said Robert Fuller, Principal, Gensler. “The future skating rink and wellness center will create permanent home and a vibrant node for one of the city’s most impactful arts and recreational organizations.”
“Figure Skating in Harlem has a special place in my heart. My mother, Mrs. Susan Wright, was a founding member of the board,” said Assembly Member Jordan Wright. “FSH has become a staple for young girls in Harlem who aspire to build confidence academically, and step outside the box of traditional urban sports. Having a state-of-the-art facility to call their own would be tremendous and would certainly continue to grow the culture here in Harlem. Furthermore, it’s important that young girls know their community and elected officials has their back and will go the extra mile to provide the facilities, services and assistance they need to excel in this ever so competitive world.”
“Figure Skating in Harlem has been a beacon of opportunity for our young people, proving that when we invest in our children, we invest in our future,” said Council Member Yusef Salaam. “This new facility will provide a home for the next generation of leaders—on and off the ice—right here in Harlem. I am proud to support this vision and stand with FSH as they break barriers and build dreams.”
“Our two daughters can’t wait for Figure Skating in Harlem to have its own home rink, and neither can my husband and I. Like their peers, our girls need more time on the ice than they currently get, and having a home rink will make that possible,” said Nigel-Ann La Qua Williamson, a Figure Skating in Harlem parent. “The dream of this project, however, goes beyond our family. A new facility for Figure Skating in Harlem would be an iconic community hub, providing more children with opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship, and families a place to create more community and connection within the neighborhood. I’ve seen firsthand how Figure Skating in Harlem has positively impacted our children’s lives, helping them build a network of sisterhood, forge lasting friendships, and find trusted mentors. A dedicated rink would empower our children to grow and thrive in their own neighborhood, offering them a place to be proud of, a true second home.”
A new, state-of-the-art ice rink and educational facility would be home to classrooms and wellness facilities in addition to the ice, locker rooms, skate rental/retail area, bleacher seating, café, and restrooms. Its design would support hockey, figure skating, and public skates, all of which are in demand in New York City.
For more information about Figure Skating in Harlem, visit figureskatinginharlem.org.
About Figure Skating in Harlem
Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the world that combines the power of education and figure skating to empower underresourced girls. Since its founding in 1997, FSH has provided girls ages 6-18 with innovative programming that fosters leadership, academic excellence, and physical well-being, preparing them for success both on and off the ice. With a network of more than 1,500 alumnae, FSH is an award-winning organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee, U.S. Olympic Committee, Beyond Sport, and CNN Heroes for its impact in youth development and sports inclusion. Education is woven into the very fabric of FSH, with 100% of program participants graduating from high school and matriculating to college. With a mission to transform lives and expand opportunity, Figure Skating in Harlem continues to be a national leader in youth development, inspiring excellence and breaking barriers in both sport and society.
