Photos: FredericksburgHockey

Throughout the past year, NoVa Caps has been providing updates (see HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE) on the development and construction progress of a roller hockey rink in Fredericksburg, Virginia, one of several new rinks updated or constructed as part of the Capitals’ Legacy Project. After months of construction and cooperation with the Caps, the City of Fredericksburg and the Capitals have announced the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new rink has been set for October 27.

The rink (located in Dixon Park in the city of Fredericksburg) was built as part of the Capitals’ Legacy Project initiative, which, in addition to the rink projects, has a goal to nurture the growth and awareness of hockey in the Washington-Metro area by next year (2020).

The rink was paid for as a joint venture by the Capitals, City of Fredericksburg, and corporate sponsors, with the team donating the benches, scoreboard, and equipment for city schools who will be using the rink as part of new curriculum provided to the four city school’s physical education programs. The final rink includes custom manufactured Riley board system, NOVA Play II flooring displaying the Caps logo, and a custom scoreboard.

Photo: FredericksburgHockey

Following the ceremony, children aged 8-14, will participate in a free Children’s Street Hockey Clinic. As spaces are limited, willing participants are encouraged to register online in advance (register HERE). All participants in the game will receive their very own street hockey stick, free of charge. No skates are required for this clinic, but tennis shoes are the footwear of choice. Following the clinic, skaters are encouraged to bring inline skates to test the new rink.

Rules of the rink, per it’s official website, are:

• Rink for Inline Hockey and Deck Hockey play ONLY
• Use at your own risk
• Wear inline skates or tennis shoes only
• The Parks, Rec. & Event staff reserve the right to schedule rink usage. Check kiosk for schedule
• No Soccer or Futsal, no skateboards, no bicycles, no dogs, no spectators, no glass, no abuse of goals or other equipment.

The ceremony will be held at 2:00 P.M. at Dixon Park, located at 1300 Dixon Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

By Michael Fleetwood (Fredericksburg native and resident)