Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1268579
18 / JULY.AUGUST.2020 USICERINKS.COM ARE YOU RENTING ICE SKATES OR BOWLING SHOES? The question will evoke a chuckle for long-time residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prior to the construction of Outpost Ice Arena in the 1980s, the skating community of Albuquerque had to practice on an ice arena attached to a bowling alley. But in the decades since, the landscape of ice sports has changed drastically. For the past 30-plus years that the Outpost Ice Arena has served the community, it has helped grow multiple ice sports. The arena itself has evolved, too, making it a first-class facility in the southwest corner of the U.S. Upping the Stakes Prior to the opening of the Outpost, there was ice available in Albuquerque, but not to the level of many other hockey commu- nities. Bob Martin was seeing the city's ice rink attached to the bowling alley decline due to poor equipment. With that in mind, Martin was insistent on having ice for those in the city. He had played high school hockey in the 1950s and had a passion for the sport. "(Martin) decided he didn't want to see hockey die," said Steve Thompson, a longtime general manager of the rink PHOTOS: OUTPOST ICE ARENA Outpost Ice Arena's continued evolution helps those in New Mexico pursue their ice sport dreams // by RYAN WILLIAMSON SOUTHWEST A SPARK IN THE Featured Rink Outpost Ice Arenas | | Albuquerque, New Mexico