Detroit Skating Club

What Detroit Skating Club does

The Detroit Skating Club (legal entity: The Detroit Skating Club, Inc.) is a member-governed and member-owned 501(c)(3) nonprofit figure skating and ice sports facility headquartered at 888 Denison Court, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Founded in 1949 (with origins traceable to 1910) and relocated to its current site in 1978, the club operates one of only a handful of US Figure Skating member clubs that owns its own facility, comprising three ice surfaces including an Olympic-size rink completed in 1994. The club offers programs across Learn to Skate (ages 3 through adult), Aspire Skating Academy, Adult Skating, competitive Figure Skating (singles, pairs, ice dance), Theatre On Ice, Synchronized Skating (via the Onyx Infinity multi-club partnership), Speed Skating (via Wolverine Sports Club), and Hockey (MCH Future Stars with USA Hockey). Supporting services include off-ice training, USFSA testing (in-person and virtual), and on-site amenities such as the Detroit Custom Skate Shop, Fred's Skate Sharpening, and Ice Sports Cafe.

Name

Detroit Skating Club

Legal name

The Detroit Skating Club, Inc.

Website

https://dscclub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Detroit Skating Club is a member-owned 501(c)(3) nonprofit figure skating and ice sports facility in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operating three owned ice rinks and offering Learn to Skate, competitive training, hockey, synchronized skating, speed skating, and events for skaters of all ages and levels in Southeast Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ice Skating Club Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Rinks & Winter Sports Facilities (MPAKAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Winter Sports & Snow Training Schools (Ski, Snowboard, Ice Sports) (MPAKAJAI), Sport-Specific Private Coaching & Instruction (1:1, Small Group) (MPAKAJAE)

Keywords

• Figure skating lessons
• Ice hockey programs
• Ice skating memberships
• Ice sports facility
• Synchronized skating

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomfield Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for skaters and families, with membership running July 1 - June 30. Includes Learn to Skate membership and resident member categories.
2. Program Fees: Fees for Learn to Skate classes, adult skating, Aspire program, and other skating instruction. Classes charged per session with monthly billing.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from major competitions including Skate Detroit (National Qualifying Series event), Ice Shows, and Adult Summer Fest camps.
4. Skate Shop Sales: Detroit Custom Skate Shop sells and rents skates, apparel, and accessories. Operated independently within facility.
5. Skate Services: Fred's Skate Sharpening provides blade mounting and sharpening services for figure skaters.
6. Food & Beverage: Ice Sports Cafe offers food service for spectators and athletes during facility hours.
7. Birthday Parties: $450 package including ice time, skate rentals, coach assistance, and party room for 2 hours.
8. Donations & Fundraising: Member donations and fundraising campaigns for facility improvements. Recent campaigns raised $18,000 for compressor replacement and $78,000 for Zamboni.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Detroit Skating Club delivers group and private figure skating instruction across all levels and disciplines at its three-rink Bloomfield Hills facility, anchored by its Learn to Skate program for ages 3 through adult. It supplements instruction with hockey (Learn to Play and competitive), synchronized skating (Onyx Infinity), Theatre On Ice, speed skating (Wolverine Sports Club), and off-ice training, and operates an on-site skate shop, skate sharpening, and cafe.

Product overview

Detroit Skating Club is a member-owned nonprofit figure skating and ice sports facility offering a comprehensive suite of programs across multiple disciplines. The core offerings include Learn to Skate instruction for ages 3 through adult, competitive figure skating training, Theatre On Ice, Synchronized Skating (via Onyx Infinity partnership), Speed Skating, and Hockey programs. Supporting services include off-ice training (jumps, strength conditioning, dance), USFSA testing, and retail (skate shop, sharpening). The club hosts signature events including Skate Detroit (National Qualifying Series competition), the annual Ice Show, Sunshine Skate LTS competition, and Adult Skating SummerFest. On-site amenities include the Ice Sports Cafe and Detroit Custom Skate Shop. The facility features three ice rinks and operates a membership-based model with volunteer requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Learn to Skate Program Foundational skating instruction for snowplow skaters (age 3-5), basic skills skaters of all ages, teens, and adults. Classes cover technique at all levels and are taught by coaches including some with Olympic-level experience.
• Aspire Skating Academy Year-round opportunity for Learn to Skate skaters to further develop skating skills in group settings with limited class sizes of 5 or fewer skaters, bridging into other DSC programs. Priced at $50 per class.
• Adult Skating Program Skating instruction and sessions for adults at all skill levels, from beginner Learn to Skate classes through advanced skills, including the Adult Coffee Club and general sessions.
• Figure Skating Program Comprehensive figure skating program offering opportunities for all levels and disciplines from Learn to Skate through competitive programs for regional, sectional, and national competitors, with on-ice skills classes and off-ice training.
• Theatre On Ice Program combining theatrical elements with ice skating, allowing skaters to develop artistic expression through choreographed performances.
• Synchronized Skating Multi-club partnership program called Onyx Infinity offering competitive synchronized teams at all levels to skaters across metro Detroit.
• Speed Skating Speed skating program operated by Wolverine Sports Club at DSC facilities, offering training for juniors to masters with competitive opportunities at local, national, and world events.
• Hockey Programs Hockey instruction including MCH Future Stars Learn to Play Hockey in partnership with USA Hockey Club of Michigan, and USA Eagles team programs. Total Package Hockey program also available for student-athletes.
• Off-Ice Training Off-ice classes for skaters including jump training, strength and conditioning, dance, and stretching, with staff specializing in various training modalities.
• USFSA Testing U.S. Figure Skating testing services including in-person testing, virtual testing, and IJS Protocol testing for skaters to advance through skill levels.
• Skate Detroit Competition Annual National Qualifying Series competition for singles, pairs, and dance, sanctioned by USFS and Skate Canada, held at DSC facilities. Registration via EMS system.
• Sunshine Skate In-house Learn to Skate competition offering opportunities for LTS skaters to experience competitive skating in a supportive environment.
• Ice Show Annual ice show featuring DSC skaters performing choreographed routines, one of the club's signature community events.
• Adult Skating SummerFest Adult skating camp featuring group lessons on and off-ice, freestyle sessions, and opportunities for private lessons with professional coaches. Packages range from $395 (1 Day) to $595 (All Inclusive).
• Public Skating Open skating sessions available to the public on specified days and times ($6 admission, $5 skate rental), with skate rental options.
• Detroit Custom Skate Shop On-site skate shop offering skate apparel, purchase, rental (long-term and daily), located between Rinks A and B.
• Fred's Skate Sharpening Independent skate sharpening service specializing in figure skate sharpening, blade mounting, and analysis of skate-related problems, serving world, Olympic, and National skaters.
• Ice Sports Cafe On-site cafe located between Rinks B and C offering food and beverages for spectators and athletes, open Monday-Friday 11am-7pm.
• Birthday Parties Birthday party packages including 50 minutes of ice time, skate rentals for 15 skaters, 1 coach, and party room for 2 hours, priced at $450. Add-ons available for additional time, skaters, and instructors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced Olympic champions Tara Lipinski and Charlie White
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Figure Skating in Detroit (FS Detroit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDetroit selected as first city in national expansion of Figure Skating in Harlem program model. DSC hosts weekly practices for this program which combines education with figure skating access for girls of color.
• Grace Centers of HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based life skills program for those afflicted by homelessness in southeast Michigan. DSC supports through fundraising and skating sponsorships for children residents.
• Onyx InfinitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-club partnership offering competitive synchronized skating teams at all levels to skaters across metro Detroit.
• Motor City Hockey / USA Hockey Club of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCH Future Stars Learn to Play Hockey program in partnership with USA Hockey. One of largest USA Hockey programs in the state with over 90 hours of ice time.
• Wolverine Sports ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong history developing world class athletes in speed skating since 1888. Speed skating program conducted at DSC facility. Known as 'Club of Champions' producing Olympic medalist Sheila Young.
• Skate/Patinage CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sanctions the Skate Detroit competition alongside USFS, allowing Canadian skaters to compete in this National Qualifying Series event.
• Champ Sports TravelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial travel partner for Skate Detroit competition, arranging discounted hotel rates and coordinating accommodations for participants.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Chelsea Piers: Large multi-sport recreational complex in NYC featuring ice rinks among many other sports. Operates a broader portfolio than DSC but overlaps in figure skating instruction, hockey programs, and recreational skating services targeting similar consumer demographics.
• The Rinks (Anaheim ICE): Network of ice facilities operated in partnership with the Anaheim Ducks NHL franchise in Southern California. Operates multiple rinks for hockey, figure skating, and public sessions under a multi-facility operator model — comparable in facility breadth if not in figure skating specialization.
• Schwan Super Rink at National Sports Center: The largest multi-rink ice facility in North America located in Blaine, MN. Houses multiple skating and hockey organizations with year-round programming and hosts major events, providing a benchmark for large-scale facility operations.

Others

• Learn to Skate USA: The official learn-to-skate program of U.S. Figure Skating, operated as a nationwide network of skating schools. DSC's Learn to Skate program operates under this framework, making it both a participant in and adjacent to the broader LTS ecosystem.
• U.S. Figure Skating: The national governing body for figure skating in the United States. DSC is a member club and testing center, and USFS sets the competition standards, testing protocols, and sanctioning framework within which DSC operates.
• Figure Skating in Detroit: DSC's strategic community partner and the first national expansion of the Figure Skating in Harlem model. Uses DSC facilities to deliver figure skating access to underserved youth in Detroit, making it an adjacent programmatic peer with shared mission overlap.

Direct peers

• Skating Club of Boston: One of the oldest and most prestigious figure skating clubs in the US with Olympic champion alumni. Operates a multi-rink training facility offering Learn to Skate through elite competitive training, closely comparable to DSC's positioning and brand pedigree.

Regional players

• Lake Placid Olympic Center (ORDA): Historic Olympic training facility in upstate New York with multiple ice rinks used for figure skating, speed skating, and hockey. Operated as a public-authority venue rather than a private club, but represents a comparable multi-rink winter sports facility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dscclub
• Facebookfacebook.com/detroitSkatingClub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detroit-skating-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Detroit Skating Club