Michael Fleetwood/NoVa Caps

After over a year of planning, construction, and decision-making, the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia and the Washington Capitals officially cut the ribbon on the new outdoor roller and street hockey rink that is part of the Capitals’ Legacy Project initiative, on Sunday in an afternoon ceremony (originally scheduled for October 27 but delayed due to weather) at the rink in Dixon Park in Fredericksburg.

NoVa Caps has been following the development and progress of the rink since it was first announced and has provided coverage on each step of the construction process. The rink was a joint effort between the Caps and City of Fredericksburg, as well private corporate sponsors. Each of the city’s four public schools will be provided equipment and educators a curriculum as part of the project, whose goal is to refurbish and construct new rinks and raise awareness and participation of hockey in Washington-Metro area by next year.

Among the attendees at the ceremony, which began at 1:00 PM at the rink, located in Dixon Park in the City of Fredericksburg, were Fredericksburg Mayor, Mary Katherine Greenlaw (pictured below), Capitals’ Director of Youth Hockey Development Peter Robinson, Jane Shelhorse, Fredericksburg Director of Parks and Recreation Events, and a few corporate donors. Capitals great and Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Langway also attended the ceremony and mascot Slapshot arrived on a segway to kick of the ceremony. Numerous fans also showed up for the opening of the rink, which will be open to the public during Dixon Park’s normal business hours.

Michael Fleetwood/NoVa Caps

Prior to the start of remarks by Robinson, Greenlaw, Shelhorse, and a few of the numerous sponsors, raffle items (including a Capitals’ license plate cover, autographed hats, Stanley Cup champions coin collections) were drawn. Following the ceremony, refreshments were available for attendees of the ceremony, while Slapshot and Langway took pictures with fans. Following the ceremony, kids aged 8-14 participated in a street hockey clinic at the rink.

Michael Fleetwood/NoVa Caps

The Capitals will be hosting a Fredericksburg Day during their afternoon game against the San Jose Sharks on January 5, 2019. Fredericksburg fans will have the opportunity to purchase special ticket packages and a round-bus trip to the game. Information on this can be found at Fxbghockey.com.

Michael Fleetwood/NoVa Caps

By Michael Fleetwood (Fredericksburg native and resident)

See Previous Updates on the Rink HERE, HERE, and HERE.