From training Olympic athletes and professional hockey players to offering lessons for first-time ice skaters, Sugar Land Ice and Sports offers a breadth of classes and services for visitors of all ages, experience levels and styles. The location boasts two regulation-size skating rinks and in-house amenities, such as a pro shop, eatery and party rooms.

In addition to offering public skate sessions, Sugar Land Ice and Sports provides year-round youth and adult hockey classes, leagues and clinics for men and women along with a variety of figure skating development programs that put on several ice theatre performances throughout the year.

Students and their families travel from throughout Houston for lessons at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center. Debra Delcamp of Clear Lake has been bringing her twin daughter and son to the facility for several years.

"We are usually up at 4:30 a.m.," she said. "That is the life of a skater."

The center is available for group and party rentals with a range of available activities, including day camps, broomball—or broom hockey—and ice bumper cars. Party services include skate rentals and a choice of activities.

The Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center was once home to the Houston Aeros hockey team, but at the close of the 2013 season, the team announced it would be leaving Sugar Land and heading to Des Moines, Iowa for the 2013–14 season.

Sugar Land's new hockey team—the Imperials—started its inaugural season in October. The team has less than 20 players all between the ages of 17 and 20 on the roster, but a typical team has around 25 players. The Imperials have performed well for the season despite its size, head coach Jarod Palmer said.

"The team is doing well," Palmer said. "We are a small team, but we are quality."

The Sugar Land Imperials

Sugar Land's new North American Tier III Hockey League South Division team—the Sugar Land Imperials—is in the midst of its inaugural season. Former Houston Aero forward Jarod Palmer has taken the helm of the expansion franchise as head coach alongside general manager Jamie Feltus. The NA3HL South Division was approved for south and west expansions by USA Hockey in June, adding four new teams to the roster. The Sugar Land Imperials, the Dallas Jr. Stars, the McKinney Warriors and the Topeka Capitals compete against 18 other teams in a 48-game schedule. The 2014 Silver Cup Championship is in late March.

Pro Shop

The Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center offers a complete range of figure skating and hockey lessons as well as public and private skating sessions. In addition, the business houses a full-service pro shop, offering services such as skate sharpening and repair as well as brand-name hockey and figure skating equipment.

Upcoming games:

Dec. 6, 7, 8: Imperials vs. Wild

For more information on the 2013–14 season, visit www.imperialshockey.com.

Nutcracker on Ice

The Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center showcases the talents of its students with its 16th annual "Nutcracker on Ice" performance. Shows are scheduled at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 15. Students have been rehearsing for the performance since September and a closed final dress rehearsal is scheduled for Dec. 13. The event features various performances from seven skate groups ranging in age, experience levels and skating styles.

16225 Lexington Blvd.

Sugar Land 281-265-7465

www.sugarlandice.com

Hours: Mon.–Thu. 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–10:30 p.m.

Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.