Things to do in Saint Louis, Missouri (MO): The Best Sports Complexes

Reviewed By JMCSTL - Maryland Heights, United States

The construction crews have continued to make progress on wrapping up public area finishing work and meeting/gathering spaces inside Centene Ice since the grand opening. One significant addition in the last couple of months has been the opening of the 314 Social Eats + Drinks bar & grill at the south end of the entry lobby. I've eaten there just once so far, because it has only been open on weekends. But the lunch that I had was very good with generous portions for a fair price, and the service was friendly & attentive. I will return at my next opportunity to sample other items from the small menu. The only other concessions option open regularly is the Schnucks mini-market located just inside the main entrance on the north side, which has pre-packaged food plus snack items and beverages. The other noteworthy addition was the opening of the fourth & final NHL-sized ice sheet, "The Barn" outdoor rink located on the west end of the CCIC complex. This rink has been hosting a lot of youth & adult hockey sessions plus holiday season public skating, unloading the indoor rinks to accommodate figure skating & learn-to-skate sessions as well as sled hockey & other game play during peak hours. My family & I attended the Christmas Eve public session outdoors; the ice quality is roughly (in more ways than one) equivalent to the ice surface of the indoor Plager Rink, but it offers a unique ice skating environment for occasional skaters who will enjoy a breath of fresh air. At this point, it appears the only major finishing work remaining around the CCIC complex lies outdoors with the spaces surrounding The Barn rink. This will be the site of outdoor functions & small concerts & other public events, once the surfacing & landscaping & stage area are completed and the season turns. At that point, the Legacy Ice Foundation folks should be able to take a deep breath and enjoy the fruits of their commitment to this community project. I, for one, am already enjoying their contributions regularly.