Will Delaware Get A New Ice Arena

The Miracle Ice Arena is hoping that a miracle will get an ice arena for central Delaware. The initiative aims to construct a new ice rink. This project seeks to replace the Centre Ice Rink, which was closed by the Delaware State Fair in May 2025. The Centre Ice Rink was the former home of the Delaware Thunder of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and was located in Harrington, DE, on the grounds of the fair. On June 19, 2023, the Delaware Thunder announced they would be electing to go dormant for the 2023 to 2024 season, while plans for a new arena in Dover could be finalized. As of this writing, that dormancy is ongoing.

The Miracle Ice project is making progress, according to the volunteer group behind the project. A total of $5 million is the bare minimum needed to start construction. The volunteers state that once that goal is met, construction of the arena is predicted to take between 12 and 18 months to complete.

However, the effort to bring an ice venue back to the region faces complications from competing plans. The Dover Civic Arena Group, which formed shortly after the Thunder lost its lease, expressed concerns over a separate public proposal backed by State Senator Dave Lawson. The private group claims they have completed a feasibility study for an arena that would cost between $6 million and $8 million to build. Their proposed facility would feature a restaurant, pub, fitness center, and pro shop, while also accommodating professional usage to potentially bring back the Thunder or another pro hockey team.

Meanwhile, Senator Lawson has been exploring state funding options for another independent public project. Representatives from the private Dover Civic Arena Group warn that building separate venues would not be cost-effective, arguing that there is currently not enough demand in Kent and Sussex County to support multiple ice facilities.

As these competing plans continue through the funding and development stages, local skaters are facing significant commutes. With the Centre Ice Rink permanently closed, the next closest ice rinks for anyone in the Southern Delaware community are the University of Delaware rinks located an hour away north in Newark, or facilities even further away in Maryland.