North Alabama at Play: How Sports are Reshaping the Tennessee Valley – Part 2

We turn our attention to a growing sector of sports that is really taking off. One might say—considering where we are—like a rocket.

When most people think of hockey, figure skating, and other ice sports, North Alabama isn’t necessarily the first place that comes to mind. Yet demand has grown so dramatically that the Huntsville Ice Sports Center is expanding from two sheets of ice to four.

Chantay Coleman, Sr. Facility Administrator at the John Hunt Ice Sports Center—also known as the Huntsville Iceplex, sat down with R.L. Terry to talk about the growth of ice sports and the expansion at the ice facility in John Hunt Park.

Whether it’s current facility expansions, new projects, or additional sheets of ice, communities across North Alabama are making significant investments in recreation and athletics.

While the facilities themselves may differ, the goals are remarkably similar: creating opportunities for residents, attracting visitors, supporting local economies, and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.

As the region continues to grow, sports are becoming more than just games—they’re increasingly part of how North Alabama builds community.