The Novi Ice Arena opened in September 1998. This beautiful multi-surface facility offers two NHL-regulation sized ice sheets, seating capacities of 750 and 200, heated viewing areas, pro shop, concessions, skate rental and meeting space. The arena offers eight large locker rooms, an officials room and a large figure skating dressing room. The facility is host to a variety of programs, including the Novi Youth Hockey Association, Figure Skating Club of Novi, Novi High School, Northville High School and the City of Novi after-school program.
Please visit the Novi Ice Arena website for more information on arena staff, news, hockey/figure skating program information and more.
Please visit Novi High School Hockey and Northville High School for game schedules and team information. Also, check out the Skating Club of Novi's page.
History:
The Novi Ice Arena opened in September 1998 in response to a regional shortage of indoor ice facilities. At the time, youth hockey and figure skating participation in Michigan were growing rapidly, 7.4% annually in figure skating and 12.2% in hockey, yet ice time availability was limited. Novi families were turning to neighboring cities for programming, and demand consistently exceeded capacity. This made Novi a strong candidate for new rinks.
The initial idea for an arena was developed through a public-private partnership involving:
- The City of Novi, which acquired the land for the facility
- Community Clubs of Novi, a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity with ice arena experience
- Center Ice Management, Inc., which was involved in the initial plans for the facility.
While the City and these other private entities initially began work on the project, eventually the project transitioned to the City of Novi Building Authority, which built the facility and leased it to the City. The project was funded through revenue bonds, repaid using income generated from arena operations (primarily ice rentals). The roughly 15-acre site where the ice arena sits was formally transferred by quit claim deed to the City in 2015 once the original financing bonds were paid off.
Following its opening, the arena was initially operated by the City of Novi. However, it faced early financial challenges and operated at a loss. Recognizing the need for professional expertise and cost-effective management, the City transitioned operations to a third-party contractor.
In 1999, the City entered into a management agreement with Suburban Sports Group of Farmington Hills, a private operator experienced in operating ice arenas. Suburban’s role was to:
- Professionally manage all operations
- Improve service and program quality
- Stabilize and improve the facility’s financial performance.
Suburban has successfully operated the facility since 1999.