University of Virginia Library

Ice Skating Is Snowballing In Charlottesville

Looking for a way to beat
the summer heat? Swimming
pools over-crowded and the
beaches too far away? Well,
John LeBlanc with the help of
Virginia Sports, Inc. seems to
have found the answer not
only to this dilemma but
another as well. That is, what
to do during the winter months
when you've seen all the
movies in town, watched all
the worthwhile television
shows and bowled until you're
dizzy and your arm is about
literally bulging from its
socket.

His answer. . .skating–not
roller skating but rather ice
skating. Ice skating in the
sunny south, you say? Well, as
a matter of fact, yes, an ice
rink right here in
Charlottesville, Greenbriar
Drive to be precise.

Virginia Sports, Inc. built
the rink, the first of its kind in
central Virginia, and hired
LeBlanc as director of both the
rink and the summer camp
which he is presently holding
through the end of August for
youngsters. LeBlanc , who
formerly skated for the
Philadelphia Flyers as well as
the Richmond Robins and in
recent years served as the
Publicity Director for that
club, has called on a wealth of
experience to help him get
started.

Mike Belhumeur, 1971-72
most valuable player from the
Robins and now standout
goalie for the Flyers is
LeBlanc's head coach for the
camp while Rejean Bibeau of
the Quebec Nordics is his
assistant. Steve Doherty, a
recent graduate from Nathaniel
Hawthorne College and
prospective member of the Los
Angeles Golden Blades is also
helping with the coaching.

Hockey, and a hockey
camp, though, are by no means
all the rink or LeBlanc offer.
Charlottesville Ice Rink is
presently open to the public
for leisure skating every night
of the week plus Saturday and
Sunday afternoons. Once the
summer camps end, however,
LeBlanc plans to remain open
to the public 40-45 hours per
week, and, he adds, that if the
public response continues as
enthusiastic as it has been he
can see where his rink may
become like those in other
cities open 22-23 hours per
day. "Then, of course," he
says, "Charlottesville will need
another ice rink. . .But that
probably won't be for another
8 months or so, anyway."

Young Hockey Fan Tries Out The Ice At The New Charlottesville Ice Rink On Greenbrier Drive

Although LeBlanc's hockey
experts must return to their
professional combat roles once
the season commences,
LeBlanc has hired expert Susan
Flath and gold medalist Alexa
Novak to continue instruction
in figure skating. The city
recreation department plans to
set up a Pee Wee hockey
league, as well as youth
hockey. An over 30's league is
also being considered.

The University's physical
education department has
contacted LeBlanc about
holding a course in ice skating
and the formation of a
University Club Sports team is
also well-underway.

LeBlanc believes that his
rink is one of the finest in the
country for a small rink and
comments, "I'd put it up to
any rink in the country for
looks, layout and the fact that
it caters to the public." The
rink is professional size, 200 by
80 feet. Ten miles of piping
keep the ice cold. but
temperature controls maintain
the ice at any thickness or
degree of hardness that the
particular sport demands.

The temperature around the
actual rink hovers around
50-60 degrees, but there is a
complete pro shop and lounge