I am writing this review after multiple deeply disturbing experiences at Glacier Ice Arena…read moreinvolving staff conduct, serious safety concerns, and a complete lack of accessibility. What happened here affected my children emotionally and physically, and I do not believe this facility is safe for kids.
On my very first visit, I was alone with my four children (ages 8, 6, 4, and 4 months). I thanked one of the coaches for helping me and mentioned it had been a hectic morning. Her response, said directly in front of my children, was: "It's your fault you had so many kids." My children later asked why an adult would say that. I was heartbroken. This comment was cruel, unprofessional, and emotionally harmful.
On another day, my 4-year-old daughter attended Tot 1--only her second skating class ever. She was fully dressed and nervous about getting on the ice. I calmly told that same coach that my daughter was nervous about getting on the ice, who replied coldly in front of my child, "That's your problem," and walked past us. No one who works with young children should ever speak that way.
During that same class, when my daughter finally got on the ice, she fell and could not stand back up. She was left sitting on the ice for over 8 minutes without assistance, repeatedly trying to stand and failing. No instructor helped her. At the time, I was nursing my 4-month-old baby with a broken arm in a cast and felt helpless. My daughter came to me in tears, saying that no one would help her. That broke my heart.
My daughter thrives with her ballet and tennis coaches and is normally confident and happy. I deeply regret placing her in an environment where she was treated so poorly--both verbally and physically.
Another incident involved the front desk staff. I was sternly told to move my stroller even though it was not blocking the doorway. I was helping my three children put on skates while my baby cried in the stroller, and I had a broken dominant arm. There was zero compassion or understanding.
Glacier Ice Arena is also not stroller- or disability-friendly. There are no ramps, no elevators, and only one handicap push-button on a front door. Navigating the facility with young children, a stroller, or mobility limitations is difficult and unsafe.
Another concerning experience involved food quality and staff behavior at the concession stand. I purchased popcorn for my children, and they immediately said it tasted old and stale. When I brought this up, the lady working at the popcorn concession stand was extremely rude and condescending toward me. I am attaching a photo of her below.
Whether you're reading this review on Yelp, Google, TripAdvisor, or elsewhere, I encourage you to click on my name and review my history. I do not write negative reviews lightly. Over several years, my reviews have all been five-star reviews. However, I have never been treated as poorly as I was here. There appears to be a troubling culture of disrespect from multiple staff members.
I echo what many other reviewers have said: the staff is shockingly rude. Beyond rudeness, the behavior I witnessed was emotionally damaging, physically unsafe, and unacceptable.
If you have other options, I strongly encourage you to look elsewhere, such as Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion (Buffalo Grove), Northbrook Sports Center Ice Arena (Northbrook), North Shore Ice Arena (Northbrook), Centennial Ice Arena (Highland Park), Hot Shot Ice Arena (Lake Bluff), Top Shelf Ice Arena (Gurnee), Glenview Ice Center (Glenview), and others.
I hope Glacier Ice Arena reflects seriously on these issues. Until significant changes are made, I do not believe this facility is safe in any sense for children.
