When Ford Ice Center Clarksville opened its doors in 2023, it brought professional-quality ice to a part of Middle Tennessee that had never had it. Operated by the Nashville Predators organization — the same team behind the Ford Ice Centers in Antioch and Bellevue — the Clarksville facility has quickly become a destination for families, recreational skaters, hockey players, and figure skating enthusiasts across Montgomery County and the surrounding region.
Whether you're a first-time skater or a regular looking for your closest ice, here's everything you need to know before you go.
Location and Contact
Ford Ice Center Clarksville 150 College Street Clarksville, TN 37040 Phone: (931) 919-2330
The facility is located near F&M Bank Arena in downtown Clarksville, with the entrance on College Street. It's easily accessible from the Clarksville metro area and a manageable drive for skaters coming from Fort Campbell, Oak Grove, and surrounding communities.
Hours
Ford Ice Center Clarksville is closed on Mondays. Operating hours for the rest of the week are:
- Tuesday–Friday: 4 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Hours are subject to change based on league scheduling and special events. The Predators organization recommends checking the Ford Ice Center website or creating a DaySmart account to view current session availability before your visit.
Public Skating: What to Know Before You Go
Registration Is Required
Unlike Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, which allows walk-in public skating, Ford Ice Center Clarksville requires advance online registration for all public skate sessions. Sessions are limited to online registration only, and skaters must check in at the front desk before taking the ice.
To register, you'll need to create a free DaySmart Recreation account through the Ford Ice Center website. The process takes a few minutes and you can book sessions, view schedules, and complete required waivers all through the same app.
If you arrive without a reservation, space cannot be guaranteed — so book ahead, especially for weekend sessions.
Pricing
Public skate sessions are priced consistently across all three Ford Ice Center locations:
- Matinee sessions: $10.98 + taxes (includes rental skates if needed)
- Evening sessions: $13.73 + taxes (includes rental skates if needed)
Rental skates are included in the session price, so there's no separate rental fee. If you bring your own skates, you still pay the same admission price.
All Ford Ice Center facilities are cashless. Bring a card.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance to receive a refund. To cancel a Clarksville reservation, contact Andy Franklin directly through the Ford Ice Center website or by calling the rink.
What to Expect on the Ice
Ford Ice Center Clarksville features a full-size NHL-standard ice sheet inside the F&M Bank Arena complex. The ice quality is professionally maintained — a significant step up from what you'd find at a seasonal outdoor rink.
For first-time skaters, here's what to expect:
Before you skate: Arrive a few minutes early to check in at the front desk and get your rental skates sized if you need them. Rental sizes range from toddler through adult. Skates should fit snugly — not painfully tight, but with minimal heel lift when you walk.
On the ice: Public sessions are open to all skill levels. The ice will have a mix of beginners finding their footing and more experienced skaters moving at higher speeds. Stay aware of your surroundings and move in the general direction of traffic.
Food: The Penalty Box restaurant is located inside Ford Ice Center Clarksville, serving hot food and cold beverages. You don't need to remove your skates to reach it — convenient for a warm-up break between sessions.
Skate sharpening: The facility offers skate sharpening through both a Sparx automated sharpening machine ($10 + tax) and a Wissota professional sharpener (drop-off service, specific turnaround times). If you bring your own skates, this is a great opportunity to get them sharpened while you're there.
Learn to Skate Programs
Ford Ice Center Clarksville runs structured Learn to Skate USA programming for both children and adults. These programs are the ideal entry point for anyone who wants to develop real skating skills beyond just surviving a public session.
The program is structured in levels, starting with absolute beginners (balance and basic gliding) and progressing through more advanced skills including forward and backward skating, stopping, turns, and eventually basic jumps and spins for those interested in figure skating.
Clarksville's program offerings include both learn-to-skate and learn-to-play hockey tracks, serving the full range of beginner interest in the sport.
Who Should Sign Up
- Young children (ages 3 and up) just starting on the ice
- Kids who've been to a few public sessions and want to actually improve
- Adults who've always wanted to skate but never had formal instruction
- Teens who tried hockey or figure skating and want to build a real foundation
Classes are small enough to provide individual attention and structured enough to move students through skill progressions efficiently. Most participants see noticeable improvement within a few sessions.
To register for learn-to-skate sessions, use the DaySmart Recreation app or visit the Ford Ice Center website.
Figure Skating Programs
Beyond basic Learn to Skate, Ford Ice Center Clarksville offers programming specifically for figure skaters at multiple levels:
On-ice classes:
- Power up sessions
- Spin class
- Jumps class
Off-ice classes:
- Ballet
- Off-ice jumps
- Strength and conditioning
Figure skating camps and clinics are also held at the facility throughout the year. For skaters who have progressed through Learn to Skate and are interested in pursuing figure skating more seriously, Clarksville's offerings provide a pipeline from beginner sessions through structured competitive preparation.
The Nashville Figure Skating Club, which operates out of Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, is another resource for competitive figure skaters in the region. Centennial is approximately 50 miles from Clarksville for skaters considering the broader Middle Tennessee skating ecosystem.
Hockey Programs
Hockey is a major part of Ford Ice Center Clarksville's programming. The facility offers:
- Adult hockey leagues
- Youth hockey leagues
- Drop-in hockey sessions
- Learn to Play Hockey programs for beginners
- 3-on-3 hockey formats
The facility's mission, consistent with the other Ford Ice Centers, is to grow hockey access in Middle Tennessee. Clarksville, as a large military community with a significant transient population, has a natural audience for hockey programming among families who may have come from hockey-heavy markets elsewhere in the country.
Who Is Ford Ice Center Clarksville For?
The rink serves a notably diverse community. Clarksville is home to Fort Campbell and its associated military population — a community that skews younger, active, and often has experience with skating from time spent in northern states. The city has also grown significantly in recent years as a Nashville suburb, bringing with it families seeking quality recreational facilities.
For Clarksville residents, Ford Ice Center fills a genuine gap. Before the facility opened, the nearest year-round ice was at the Ford Ice Centers in Antioch and Bellevue — each roughly an hour away. Having a local rink changes the recreational math for families considering skating as a regular activity.
The Broader Ford Ice Center Network
Ford Ice Center Clarksville is part of the Nashville Predators' three-facility network across Middle Tennessee. For a comprehensive look at all Nashville area ice skating options, visit our Nashville ice skating guide.
Planning Your Visit
Book ahead. Weekend sessions fill quickly. Register through DaySmart at least a day or two in advance.
Dress in layers. Ice rinks are cold — typically around 55–65°F at ice level. Wear warm layers you can remove if you get warm skating. Gloves are strongly recommended, especially for beginners who will be touching the ice during falls.
Arrive early enough to get your skates on. Budget 10–15 minutes before the session start time for check-in and lacing up rentals.
Bring a card. The facility is cashless.
Expect to fall. Especially your first few times. This is normal, not a problem. Bend your knees, stay low, and fall forward if you can. Our beginner's guide to ice skating covers falling safely and your first steps on the ice.
Find More Tennessee Rinks
Ford Ice Center Clarksville is one of four rinks in the greater Nashville / Middle Tennessee area. For schedules, pricing, and additional details on all four locations — including Centennial Sportsplex — use the Ice Skating Index rink finder.
The ice is ready. The session is waiting. Register ahead, dress warm, and we'll see you on the ice.