Center Ice of DuPage

What Center Ice of DuPage does

Center Ice of DuPage is a multi-purpose ice sports facility located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, operating since 1989 under the corporate umbrella of Black Bear Sports Group. The 56,796 square-foot facility houses two indoor rinks — one NHL-sized and one International-sized — along with party rooms, and functions as a year-round operating hub rather than a passive real estate asset. Its service portfolio is organized around three pillars: (1) hockey, including the DuPage Black Bears Tier II travel club, youth recreational leagues, drop-in sessions (Stick & Puck, Rat Hockey), seasonal spring/summer programs and camps, and adult leagues operated in partnership with Foundry Adult Hockey; (2) figure skating and learn-to-skate, including group lessons, freestyle sessions, and certified private coaching; and (3) community and event usage, including public skate, family and cosmic skate sessions, $15-per-person birthday party packages, private ice rentals, and tiered corporate sponsorship packages including naming rights and digital media.

The facility's technology backbone is Black Bear TV, a proprietary streaming platform supported by Spiideo's cloud-based AI camera system (trained specifically for hockey game and player tracking) and Visaic's streaming application, delivering HD feeds with live stats and 180-degree panoramic coverage across web, iOS/Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. The facility is one of 38 Black Bear venues contributing content to Black Bear TV. Center Ice also integrates the Bond Sports online registration and scheduling platform and operates the Black Bear Youth Hockey Foundation as a charitable arm.

Commercially, the business runs multiple revenue streams in parallel: program registration fees (recurring for youth, adult, and figure skating programs), transactional fees for public skate, parties ($15/person), and ice rentals, alongside recurring revenue from corporate sponsorship packages (naming rights, Gold/Silver/Bronze branding, Digital Media) and subscription revenue from Black Bear TV (per-game, monthly, annual). Customers are predominantly individual consumers across the Glen Ellyn and greater Chicagoland area — families, youth hockey players, adult hockey players, figure skaters, and birthday party hosts — supplemented by local and regional corporate sponsors. The strategic positioning is that of a community-anchored, partner-networked ice sports operator rather than a standalone facility, with reach materially extended through Black Bear Sports Group, Foundry Adult Hockey, and the Chicago Blackhawks' Little Blackhawks learn-to-play pipeline.

Name

Center Ice of DuPage

Legal name

Center Ice of DuPage

Website

https://centericeofdupage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Center Ice of DuPage is a 56,796 sq-ft dual-rink ice sports facility in Glen Ellyn, Illinois (since 1989), hosting youth travel hockey, adult leagues, learn-to-skate, public skate, birthday parties, and private ice rentals under Black Bear Sports Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ice Sports Facility Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Rinks & Winter Sports Facilities (MPAKAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Winter Sports & Snow Training Schools (Ski, Snowboard, Ice Sports) (MPAKAJAI), Winter Sports Teams/Clubs (Ski, Snowboard, Bobsleigh, etc.) (MPAKABAI), B2B Sports Digital Syndication & White-Label Streaming Services (MPAKAOAJ)

Keywords

• Ice rink facility
• Youth hockey programs
• Adult hockey leagues
• Figure skating lessons
• Public skating sessions

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Ellyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Skating Sessions: General public skate, family skate, and cosmic skate sessions available to community members of all ages for recreational ice skating.
2. Youth Hockey Programs: Registration fees for youth hockey programs including Learn to Play, Rookie League, Youth Recreational Hockey, and Travel Hockey (DuPage Black Bears).
3. Adult Hockey Programs: Foundry Adult Hockey leagues including Novice Draft League, C League, Over 40 League, and drop-in Rat Hockey sessions.
4. Figure Skating Programs: Learn to Skate classes, freestyle sessions (walk-in and punch cards), and private lessons with certified instructors.
5. Birthday Party Packages: $15 per person party package including public skate admission, free rental skates, skate-aids, 1 hour ice skating, and 1 hour dedicated party area.
6. Ice Rentals: Private ice time rentals for groups, organizations, and corporate events. Contact ice scheduler for booking.
7. Corporate Sponsorships: Marketing and partnership packages including naming rights (Skate Rental, Party Room, Ice Resurface Machine), Gold/Silver/Bronze Branding Packages, and Digital Media Packages.
8. Black Bear TV Subscriptions: Streaming service with pay-as-you-go per game (48-hour access), monthly plan, and yearly plan options. Features HD feed, live stats, and 180-degree panoramic viewing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Center Ice of DuPage operates a two-rink ice sports facility providing youth hockey (including Tier II DuPage Black Bears travel hockey), adult hockey leagues via Foundry Adult Hockey, learn-to-skate and figure skating instruction, public skating sessions, birthday party packages, and private ice rentals. It also hosts Black Bear TV, an HD streaming and replay service for hockey games. Programming spans beginner introductions (with free equipment) through competitive travel hockey, supported by certified coaches and online registration through Bond Sports.

Product overview

Center Ice of DuPage is a multi-purpose ice rink facility (opened 1989, 56,796 sq ft) in Glen Ellyn, Illinois housing one NHL-sized rink and one International-sized rink. The facility operates a unified service portfolio organized around ice sports: hockey programs (youth travel hockey via the DuPage Black Bears club, youth recreational league, drop-in sessions — Stick & Puck and Rat Hockey, spring and summer camps, and Foundry Adult Hockey leagues), learn-to-skate and figure skating instruction (Learn to Skate, Freestyle sessions, private coaching), public skating sessions, and event services (birthday party packages, private ice rentals, and corporate sponsorship packages). The facility is also home to Black Bear TV, a premium streaming platform powered by Spiideo AI camera technology and Visaic, providing live HD broadcasts of games across 38 Black Bear venues with multi-device and OTT viewing support. All hockey programs for youth are aligned with USA Hockey's ADM (American Development Model) guidelines, emphasizing age-appropriate skill development in a positive, non-competitive atmosphere. The DuPage Black Bears is the facility's primary youth hockey club (Tier II travel), while the facility's adult programming operates through a partnership with Foundry Adult Hockey. The Black Bear Youth Hockey Foundation provides charitable support to youth participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Black Bear TV Premium video streaming platform providing live HD game broadcasts, on-demand replays, live stats integration, and 180-degree VIPR panoramic ice footage for Center Ice of DuPage and the wider Black Bear Sports Group network. Accessible via web, mobile apps (iOS/Android), and OTT devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV). Subscriptions sold per game (48-hour access), monthly, and yearly.
• DuPage Black Bears Hockey Club Tier II youth travel hockey club operating within Black Bear Sports Group, offering competitive league play, tryouts, pre-season training, spring hockey, and seasonal championships for youth players.
• Youth Recreational Hockey League In-house recreational hockey league for youth players of all skill levels, from Learn to Play through Travel, providing additional game time in a supportive team environment.
• Drop-In Hockey (Stick & Puck, Rat Hockey) Open hockey sessions including Stick & Puck (all ages, full equipment required for under-18s) for individual practice and Rat Hockey (18+ pickup games, 30 players and 4 goalies per session) for informal adult play.
• Summer Hockey Camps Seasonal summer hockey camp programs for youth players, including full-day camps, small group training, and 7B summer hockey camps run by DuPage Black Bears coaching staff.
• Black Bear Spring Hockey Spring-season hockey programming for youth players affiliated with the DuPage Black Bears, providing continued development and game play outside the primary season.
• Foundry Adult Hockey Leagues Adult hockey programming operated in partnership with Foundry Adult Hockey, offering the Get in the Game beginner program, Novice Draft League, competitive adult league play, and an annual national championship across the 11+ state Foundry network.
• Foundry Spring/Summer Adult Leagues Seasonal adult hockey leagues run through the Foundry Adult Hockey partnership, including Novice Draft League (Wednesday and Sunday), Over 40 League, Sunday C League, and weeknight C League play.
• Little Blackhawks Learn to Play Hockey Beginner hockey program for boys and girls ages 4–9 that teaches fundamental skating and hockey skills, with FREE equipment and skates provided through the Chicago Blackhawks partnership.
• Take a Shot at Hockey Free 4-week introductory hockey program (30 minutes per session) for first-time skaters/players aged 4–9, with loaner protective equipment and free skate rental — no skating background required.
• Hockey Skating Academy Progressive hockey skating and skill-building classes for beginner hockey players continuing beyond introductory programs, focused on developing skating technique and fundamental hockey skills.
• Rookie League Entry-level in-house hockey league for new players transitioning from learn-to-play programs, offering weekly supervised games to build game experience and team play.
• Learn to Skate Group skating lessons under The Skating Academy at Center Ice of DuPage, for beginner through advanced figure skaters and hockey players, taught by certified instructors.
• Freestyle Skating Sessions Open freestyle ice sessions for competitive and recreational skaters, available via walk-in rate, 11-punch card ($150), half-month unlimited, or monthly unlimited pricing, and used for private lessons.
• Figure Skating Private Lessons Private and semi-private figure skating instruction provided by certified coaches at Center Ice of DuPage, with guest coach policy requiring US Figure Skating compliance, PSA membership, and liability insurance verification.
• Birthday Party Packages Hosted birthday party experiences at the rink, priced at $15 per person, including public skate admission, free rental skates, skate-aid access, 1 hour of ice skating, and 1 hour of dedicated party area. Custom plans available for groups of 20+.
• Ice Rentals Private ice rental of the facility's NHL-sized and International-sized rinks for groups, teams, corporate events, and organizations, coordinated through the Ice Scheduler.
• Marketing & Sponsorship Packages Branded sponsorship offerings for businesses, including naming rights for skate rental, party rooms, and ice resurface machines, plus Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Digital Media branding packages.
• Public Skating Sessions General admission ice skating open to community members of all ages and skill levels, offered as general public skate, family skate, and cosmic skate sessions.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SpiideocoreTechnology or Integration · 16 September 2024Spiideo provides cloud-based camera system powered by artificial intelligence for automatic recording and tracking of every situation and player movement. Award-winning AI capture technology trained specifically for hockey installed across all Black Bear venues.
• Black Bear Sports GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company that owns and operates Center Ice of DuPage as part of a network of 38 ice sports venues. Manages corporate partnerships, Black Bear TV streaming platform, and youth hockey club operations.
• VisaiccoreTechnology or IntegrationVisaic partnered with Black Bear Sports Group to create an interactive web platform and dedicated app for Black Bear TV streaming service, powering the viewing experience with features like multiple accounts, clipping, and downloading.
• Foundry Adult HockeycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundry Adult Hockey is the largest and most comprehensive adult hockey organization in the USA, spanning 11+ states. Center Ice hosts Foundry leagues including Novice Draft, C League, and Over 40 League. Includes Get in the Game beginner program.
• Chicago BlackhawksflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLittle Blackhawks Learn to Play Hockey program provides free gear for first-timers who sign up. Program offers classes with free equipment and skates for youth boys and girls ages 4-9.
• Mini MeltsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIce cream/frozen treats sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• Goon GuardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHockey equipment brand sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• Dualtemp ClaugerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustrial refrigeration/climate control sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• Disanto PropaneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPropane energy sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• ConstellationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy company sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• CintasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniform and facility services sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• Breakaway SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHockey equipment and apparel retailer with merchandise available through facility uniform and apparel stores.
• Apex Learning Virtual SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline education partner with logo displayed on facility materials.
• Pure HockeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHockey equipment retailer partner with logo displayed on facility materials.
• CanteenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood service and vending partner with logo displayed on facility materials.
• All American ArenaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArena equipment and supplies sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• Kelly Payroll BenefitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHR and benefits services sponsor with logo displayed on facility materials.
• Black Bear Youth Hockey FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit foundation supporting youth hockey development, providing financial assistance and opportunities for young players.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Glacier Ice Arena: Glacier Ice Arena is a multi-rink ice sports complex with multiple locations, offering youth hockey, figure skating, public skating, and league play that competes with single-site community rinks like Center Ice of DuPage for coaching talent and travel hockey registrations.
• Arctic Ice Arena: Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, IL is a multi-rink suburban Chicago facility offering comparable youth hockey, learn-to-skate, freestyle, and public skating programming to the same regional family and hockey-player demographic.
• Northbrook Sports Center: Northbrook Sports Center is a multi-rink facility in Northbrook, IL offering comparable youth hockey, adult leagues, figure skating, and public skate programming to north suburban Chicago families, with overlapping Tier II travel hockey competition.
• Carol Stream Ice Rink: Carol Stream Ice Rink is a single-rink municipal facility in Carol Stream, IL — within DuPage County — competing head-to-head for public skate, learn-to-skate, and youth hockey registrations in the same catchment area as Center Ice of DuPage.
• Addison Ice Arena: Addison Ice Arena is a dual-rink facility in Addison, IL offering youth hockey, figure skating, freestyle sessions, and adult leagues to the same western Chicago suburb demographic as Center Ice of DuPage.
• Seven Bridges Ice Arena: Seven Bridges Ice Arena is a dual-rink facility in Woodridge, IL — directly neighboring DuPage County — offering youth hockey, figure skating, public skating, and adult leagues to the same suburban Chicago customer base as Center Ice of DuPage.

Broad incumbents

• Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers: Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers is a large multi-rink urban facility in New York City offering public skating, youth hockey, figure skating, and private events — a broader-scale incumbent in the same ice rink operations category though serving a different geography.
• Hockeytown USA (St. Clair Shores): Hockeytown USA is a multi-rink ice sports facility in St. Clair Shores, MI offering youth travel hockey, adult leagues, figure skating, and public skating — comparable in facility scope and programming depth to Center Ice of DuPage though serving a different regional market.
• Iceland Sports Complex: Iceland is a large multi-rink ice sports operator with multiple locations, running youth hockey, figure skating, and adult league programming at scale — a broader incumbent in the same ice rink operations category as Center Ice of DuPage.

Regional players

• McFetridge Sports Center: McFetridge Sports Center is a Chicago Park District-operated dual-rink facility offering public skating, learn-to-skate, youth hockey, and adult leagues — a public-sector regional competitor in the same Chicago metro market as Center Ice of DuPage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CenterIceDuPage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-ice-of-du-page

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Center Ice of DuPage