As private equity firms increasingly purchase ice rinks across the country, families and youth sports leaders are beginning to ask hard questions about cost, access, and community control. While ice rinks are undeniably expensive to operate and maintain, private equity ownership often introduces new layers of fees, restricted filming and streaming rules, bundled services, and profit-driven scheduling priorities that reshape how rinks function. These changes can limit community access, increase financial pressure on families, and accelerate the already rising cost of youth hockey and skating. For girls—who face higher dropout rates in sport—these barriers can be especially impactful. This post explores why private equity is targeting ice rinks, the patterns emerging from recent acquisitions, and the long-term risks to affordability, equity, and participation. Because when rinks shift from community assets to profit centers, the consequences extend far beyond the ice.