South Florida is on the brink of welcoming a groundbreaking ice skating facility, a venture championed by the legendary Wayne Gretzky and bolstered by the financial prowess of billionaire Larry Robbins. This ambitious $40 million project is set to redefine the sporting landscape of Palm Beach Gardens.
In the heart of Palm Beach Gardens, a visionary initiative is unfolding at Plant Drive Park, strategically situated east of Military Trail and just south of Burns Road, adjacent to Palm Beach Gardens High School. The Palm Beach North Athletic Foundation, Inc. (PBNAF), a beacon of community-driven nonprofit efforts, has successfully forged a public-private partnership to breathe life into this state-of-the-art recreational haven. The city's approval of a 40-year lease for PBNAF on April 4 underscores the collective anticipation for this transformative project.
Slated for its grand unveiling in the summer of 2026, the facility's design boasts an impressive array of features aimed at fostering athletic excellence and community spirit. Highlights include two professional-grade National Hockey League ice rinks, complemented by a third should the foundation's fundraising endeavors hit their target. Beyond the ice, the facility promises an enriching environment complete with a full-service restaurant and sports bar, retail offerings, a dynamic training and academy space, and a specialized medical area under the patronage of the Hospital for Special Surgery.
The orchestration of this monumental project is led by PBNAF's visionary founder and president, Michael Winter, alongside the esteemed Tucker Frederickson, a former NFL powerhouse with the New York Giants and an active PBNAF board member. The initiative garners additional star power and financial support from Larry Robbins, a renowned hedge fund manager and former collegiate hockey athlete, alongside Wayne Gretzky, a name synonymous with hockey excellence. Robbins, through his and the Robbins Family Foundation's generosity, has pledged a significant contribution to ensure the project's swift and successful completion.
Robbins shared his enthusiasm about the project, noting, "My wife Sarahmay and I are excited about making Palm Beach Gardens our new home. This vibrant and industrious community, though nearly perfect, lacks sufficient ice skating facilities for its eager hockey and figure skating communities. We're eager to collaborate with Mike, Tucker, Wayne, and the entire PBNAF team to create a new focal point for our community."
The facility will not only serve as a new home for Gretzky's prestigious hockey school, established in 2014 with his son Ty, but will also stand as a beacon for hockey and skating in Palm Beach County. Gretzky expressed his honor in expanding his school's influence, highlighting hockey's unique ability to unite and inspire communities.
Beyond the exhilaration of hockey, the facility will open its doors to a broad spectrum of ice sports, including figure skating, leisure skating, curling, and sled hockey, making it a comprehensive hub for ice sports enthusiasts across Palm Beach Gardens and beyond. With its strategic location and multifaceted design, the Plant Drive Park facility is poised to become a cornerstone of community engagement and athletic pursuit in South Florida.
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