The property management company that owns Memorial City Mall is planning on turning it into something similar to City Centre. Going away from a traditional mall and more outside walking from shop to shop etc.

Part of this plan is to turn the ice rink into a parking lot/road. As a skate parent this is upsetting as there isnt another full size rink close by. There are a few different paths being explored but one is trying to get plans to changed to keep the rink. It makes sense as it is a revenue generator and drives additional foot traffic to the area.

I would appreciate if anyone would sign the petiton, we are closing in on 7000 signatures. Also there are facts, FAQ, and media links from local news stations all covering the closure.

https://savememorialrink.org/

https://www.change.org/p/save-the-memorial-city-ice-rink-updated-community-petition-2026

I haven't been to Memorial City Mall in many years, but every mall post deserves Chris Rock.

I saw this news last week and it does suck. Galleria's rink is an option for basic skating I guess but harder to get to and they don't do sports there.

I think that whole side of the mall will be affected by the new development. Gap closed their big store and I thought it was due to construction but Lululemon is going in there.

There was an issue with the cooling system that resulted in a major repair. But the repair was completed to continue operations.

Last year the rink made a net profit of $800k and sees on average 3000 visitors a week.

30% of Houston hockey players use this rink for practice and games

Their Nutcracker on Ice show sold out both performances and had over 150 skaters in the show

The petition along with other methods has shown there is enough interest for local TV news to report on the story. Its also one way to show potential investors there is demand for skating

The Galeria rink is too small for hockey games or figure skating. It is recreational only so that leaves Sugarland, Bellerive, The Woodlands, and Spring for competitive ice activities.

I understand it is a private business and they can do what they want. It sucks for the kids that enjoy the sport as there aren't many options for them and now the most centrally located one is closing. It is also putting a lot of load capacity on the other rinks thst isn't sustainable.

My hope is the developer works in the construction of a new rink in the area or another investor decides to build one.

Agreed. We live about 1/2 between Willowbrook and Memorial City and always choose MC.

there is another rink near Willowbrook. I stay off ice skates as I would only kill myself.

Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex

Public Skating at Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex in Houston

Cibalo said:

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Last year the rink made a net profit of $800k and sees on average 3000 visitors a week.

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That's the problem. The average footlocker profits ~$450k a year. You could fit at least 10 stores where the rink is and generate a ton more profit/rent.

Rich parents demand a private entity to keep something "because it is profitable".

If that was the case, said rich parents would already be building one. But it isn't. Metro National only had to cover the cost of build out and operating costs. Not the land.

They are making it an outside facing shopping area like City Centre. Closed mall attracts a certain type of loitering mall people that they want to push out and bring in the upper middle class buyers from the area. An outside facing shopping center brings more of those people in and reduces the loitering types. I assume that target will close as well.

HDeathstar said:

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They are making it an outside facing shopping area like City Centre. Closed mall attracts a certain type of loitering mall people that they want to push out and bring in the upper middle class buyers from the area. An outside facing shopping center brings more of those people in and reduces the loitering types. I assume that target will close as well.

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The Target isn't getting demoed, it will stay open

I hear they are building a big fence around the Target to keep the peeps from crossing over.

agnerd said:

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Cibalo said:

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Last year the rink made a net profit of $800k and sees on average 3000 visitors a week.

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That's the problem. The average footlocker profits ~$450k a year. You could fit at least 10 stores where the rink is and generate a ton more profit/rent.

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half the mall is empty.

**** hockey.

GoAgs92 said:

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agnerd said:

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Cibalo said:

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Last year the rink made a net profit of $800k and sees on average 3000 visitors a week.

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That's the problem. The average footlocker profits ~$450k a year. You could fit at least 10 stores where the rink is and generate a ton more profit/rent.

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half the mall is empty.

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I haven't walked all the way down to dilliards lately, but I only saw a couple empty stores heading towards sun & ski as I killed time looking at bikes and ski gear.

Open air Target in the works?

Deep South Ice and Sports Center will open this summer in Richmond/Katy area. Corner of Harlem and Beechnut.

I'm thinking that this will be like the improvement that was done to Baybrook several years ago, where they added on the outdoor shopping area with higher end stores (Lucchese, Anthropologie, etc) as well as nice restaurants/bars, Dave & Busters & the movie theater.

I also saw plans where there would be a hotel built. I do miss Sears.

First Colony did something similar to try to bridge the gap to Town Square.