Larson Ice Center | Brookings

The Larson Ice Center in Brookings, South Dakota, is a beloved local landmark and one of the region’s premier ice sports facilities. Located on the city’s south side, just minutes from downtown and South Dakota State University, it serves as both a competitive arena and a family-friendly recreation space. The hum of skates cutting across the ice, the echo of pucks against the boards, and the cheer of crowds give this center a distinctive energy that captures the spirit of community life in Brookings year-round.

History and Development

The Larson Ice Center opened in the late 1990s through a joint effort between the City of Brookings, South Dakota State University, and the Brookings Amateur Hockey Association. Named after the Larson family - longtime local supporters of athletics and civic projects - the facility was designed to meet the growing demand for youth and collegiate hockey while also providing an accessible venue for public skating and recreational events. Over the years, upgrades to lighting, seating, and ice-making systems have helped maintain its reputation as one of the best ice arenas in eastern South Dakota.

Facilities and Layout

The Larson Ice Center houses two full-size NHL regulation ice sheets, which can operate simultaneously for practices, tournaments, or open skating sessions. The main arena, known for its polished rink and well-maintained bleacher seating, accommodates up to 2,000 spectators during major events. The second rink, more intimate in scale, is used primarily for youth games, figure skating, and local recreational leagues.

Beyond the ice surfaces, the facility includes locker rooms, training areas, a concession stand, and a spacious lobby where families gather with hot chocolate in hand while watching games through large glass panels. The air carries the familiar chill of an ice rink mixed with the faint aroma of popcorn and coffee - a sensory blend that regulars associate with winter weekends in Brookings.

Sports and Events

The Larson Ice Center serves as home ice for the Brookings Rangers Hockey Association, which supports youth hockey programs ranging from beginners to competitive travel teams. It also hosts South Dakota State University’s club hockey team, whose matchups draw passionate student crowds and alumni back to town.

Throughout the season, the rink hosts regional tournaments, figure skating exhibitions, curling events, and learn-to-skate programs, keeping the ice busy nearly every day of the year. During tournaments, the parking lot fills with vans wrapped in team logos, and the buzz of conversation spills out from the lobby into the crisp Dakota air.

In warmer months, when hockey winds down, the center transitions into a multi-use venue, occasionally hosting trade shows, expos, and summer training camps.

Atmosphere and Community Spirit

What gives the Larson Ice Center its charm is less the size of its arena and more the sense of belonging it fosters. On game nights, the stands fill with families wrapped in team colors, cowbells ring from the upper rows, and the sound of the national anthem echoes through the chilled space before the first puck drop. Coaches and volunteers who grew up skating here now mentor the next generation - a quiet tradition that gives the rink continuity and local pride.

Even casual visitors feel welcome. Public skate sessions invite everyone, from beginners taking tentative steps to seasoned skaters gliding in practiced circles under the soft white glow of the arena lights. The atmosphere is inclusive, upbeat, and unmistakably small-town in its friendliness.

Visitor Experience

Visitors find the Larson Ice Center clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Free parking and accessible seating make it family-friendly, and the staff, many of whom are volunteers or local hockey enthusiasts, add a personal touch to every visit. The concession area, simple but nostalgic, serves up classic rink fare - nachos, pretzels, and steaming cups of cocoa - while the walls display photographs chronicling decades of Brookings’ skating and hockey history.

For anyone visiting Brookings in winter, stopping by the Larson Ice Center offers an authentic glimpse into the town’s community spirit - where sport, tradition, and local camaraderie all come together under one roof. Whether it’s a fast-paced hockey match or a peaceful evening skate, the experience captures the heartwarming rhythm of life in South Dakota’s most spirited college town.