State College area man’s backyard ice rink has become winter tradition for local kids

Christian Combs glided on the ice, weaving between the controlled chaos that accompanies the typical youth hockey match. Careful not to miss a call, the youngster intently observed the action that unfolded in front of him.

Usually, the 10-year-old plays goalie for his State College Icers team, but on this particular night, he assumed the role of referee. Under Combs’ watchful eye, two of his friends earned trips to the penalty box.

Combs was one of seven area children and their families who congregated late last week at the 60x100-foot outdoor skating rink that occupies space on Lemont resident Bill Dickson’s property. The setting offered a change of pace from the players’ home base of Pegula Ice Arena on Penn State’s campus.

“These hockey players are really good, and I’m so glad that I’m out here,” Combs said.

Dickson’s backyard rink is hard to miss during winter nights when weather conditions and schedules cooperate. A trio of bright lights dot the perimeter of the rink to illuminate the surface. Sets of white string lights hover above.

“The kids have a blast out here,” Dickson, 51, said. “The thing about this is, a hockey team is really structured. They come here and they just have a good time and do whatever they don’t get to try in (their regular) rink.”

Each winter since 2018, Dickson’s outdoor rink has offered a change of scenery for young skaters in the area. It also serves as a secondary facility of sorts for the State College Icers’ 14U, 12U, 10U and 8U teams.

Depending on how cold the evening is, wafts of smoke from a fire pit provide a firewood aroma for those nearby. It also helps keep spectators warm. Last year, Icers’ players and parents chipped in and purchased a floor-standing patio heater as a gift.

During a typical year, Dickson usually opens the rink in December before breaking it down in March when temperatures climb. Construction of the rink is anything but easy. Dickson estimated it to be a 35-hour process, which he jokingly labeled a “labor of love.”

Dickson used to build bridges, so calculating the precise measurements needed at the onset of each outdoor skating season is something with which he’s well familiar. After making the measurements, plastic is placed underneath the soon-to-be skating surface. Stakes are then installed to ensure the measurements are accurate. Dickson then moves to insert plywood around the perimeter to provide a safe barrier for skaters and spectators. From there, it’s up to Mother Nature to do the rest.

“If we get into the middle of March, it’s a good year,” he said. “We have skated into April once or twice.”

Dickson estimates approximately 20 children a week utilize the outdoor rink, but that number changes depending on his and his wife Misty’s four children’s weekly hockey schedules. While the Icers make good use of the outdoor space, it’s also a draw among some of the neighborhood children.

“This year has been as good as any year,” he said. “Except for maybe the COVID year, this has been the most ice I’ve had.”

Dickson said the rink provided a needed outlet both for children and parents alike in 2020.

“The COVID year, we’d be out here three to four times a night,” he said. “There would be 15 parents out here. We’d make a big fire and everybody just wanted to be outside doing something. Pegula (Ice Area) was shut down, so they just came out here. It was really a fun year — that was probably one of my favorite years that we’ve had here.”

The concept of an outdoor rink isn’t new to Christina Combs, Christian’s mother. The State College resident said her family had one at their home, but it was nowhere near the scale of Dickson’s, nor did it offer the amenities.

“Nothing like this,” Christina Combs said emphatically when describing the difference. “Our rink was probably half this size. This rink is amazing. There’s boards all around, (there’s) a bench to put the skates and all of the stuff — that’s top notch.”

While the rink provides an outlet for young skaters to practice and have fun, it also offers a sense of community for parents. Bellefonte resident Melissa Wess and her two children, Gabriel and Grayson, counted among those who trekked to Dickson’s rink. In between watching her two youngsters maneuver around the ice, Wess shared conversation and laughs with other parents around the fire pit.

“There are no coaches here, so they enjoy it better,” Wess said with a laugh when describing her kids’ experience.

While the Icers and other area youngsters make good use of the rink, it has also provided cherished memories for the Dickson family. Two years ago when hosting Christmas at their home, the Dicksons created one that ranks high among the many they’ve accumulated since beginning this journey.

After the customary opening of presents that Christmas Day, the crew laced up their ice skates and headed to the backyard for a family skate. Dickson’s father joined in on the session, an experience Bill won’t soon forget.

“Even though we only went out there six times that year, having the whole family out was well worth the effort that went into putting the rink,” Dickson said. “It was a great day.”

This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM.