The construction of the Outdoor Rink, colloquially known as the ODR, originated as an idea in 2021 from the Student Life Office leadership team to encourage students to participate in outdoor activities during the winter. During the COVID-19 pandemic schoolyear, the Academy became aware that the majority of student activities were concentrated indoors and sought out new ways to allow students to socialize and form bonds across the community.
Initially launched as a temporary facility, Deerfield had rented the ice rink from Ice-America, a portable skating rink company. However, after receiving positive feedback from students and faculty alike, the Academy decided last year to expand the ODR into a long term plan and erect the rink annually during winter term.
However, the ODR has not always been oriented alongside the front of the temporary dining hall. Its original iteration had run in front of the Boyden Library from a different direction, from east to west instead of north to south. The original ODR had also been slightly smaller than the standard full size ice rink. Chief Financial Officer Matthew Sheehy reflected on the process of working through further plans on the ODR, “It was a whole host of issues dealing with sunlight and heat and all of those kinds of things… For why it’s oriented the way that it is now, sort of creating a permanent opportunity for it.”
The operational costs of the ODR is categorized under the Finance Office’s general facilities budget. However, Mr. Sheehy said, “There’s not a specific amount of money that’s set aside for that [the ODR]. At this point we’ve already purchased the boards and we’ve purchased all of the equipment in order to have an outdoor ice rink.”
The ODR is available for all students and faculty to use until study hall hours, between 7:45 pm to 9:45 pm. Students are discouraged from using the rink during this period due to the noise and distractions created especially by loud music and hockey pucks. Boys Varsity Hockey Captain Ryan Diffley ’25 described how the ODR is a chance for students to relax and take a break from normal routines: “It’s a great way for people to have some fun, get out there those who might not have skated before, but also just a great way for teams to bond and play around and just get moving.”
During co-curricular periods, the ODR supports the Ice Hockey program by helping teams and their players, such as junior varsity or recreational hockey, as an extra space for games and practices. Mr. Sheehy noted that the rink has helped reduce scheduling conflicts, which were previously common when all the hockey teams had to share one rink. He said the ODR “allows us to not have teams practicing until nine or teno’clock at night. And so it just adds a level of flexibility when it comes to co curricular programming.”
Hadley Spater ’25 recalled how her JV girls hockey team spends time together on the ODR not just for practice, but also for team bonding. “Last year we had a practice a few times where our coach had us put our sticks and pucks aside and play soccer, but on our skates, on the ice, so that’s always a lot of fun. It’s kind of dif- ferent than you would expect a hockey practice to be,” she said.
Not only does the ODR contribute to athletics, it also serves as an activity programming opportunity for the Student Life Office. From outdoor fire pits, s’mores, and music on Friday nights, students enjoy weekend activities set up near the ODR as a space to connect. The Academy has also collaborated with a company which provides ice skates for students to go to the athletics stockroom to check out and use. Diffley further emphasized how the ODR is a gathering place for various hobbies and recreations. “[The ODR] is really not just the hockey aspect. It’s more of just like the community,” he said, “I’ve seen tons of other people out there, especially on the weekends…it’s just a great activity for people to try something new or just have a good time with your friends.”
The Academy has been looking for other opportunities and ways for programming more activities in the future. “I know [Head of School] Dr. [John] Aus- tin would love for us to have Curling…and program other ways to have fun, much like we had pickleball on Albany road but during the wintertime while the rink is up,” Mr. Sheehy said commenting on future plans.
The ODR is a place on campus that has created memories for students and faculty alike. “I get a kick of going by and seeing somebody out there. Generally speaking, those who are out there, they have a smile on their face,” Mr. Sheehy said, “To me, that’s the memorable part of it….It brings everyone together from across the spectrum. I’m very grateful that Deerfield’s willing to do that for us.”
