New Park City ice rink slated to be home arena for Utah Outliers

Outliers Interior Arena rendering. Photo: Andrus Architecture

The new rink will be a game changer for Utah's junior hockey scene

HEBER CITY, Utah — The Utah Outliers have unveiled plans for a groundbreaking private ice rink, the Blackrock Event Center, just past Browns Canyon Road off of SR-248.

The Tier 2 Junior A team is part of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), which plays a pivotal role in nurturing young talent aged 16 to 20 on their path to professional hockey.

Kevin McCloskey, a former NHL player and the current operations director for the Outliers, shared insights into the development on Utah Puck Report. The announcement has stirred considerable excitement within the community, primarily due to the scarcity of ice rinks in Utah. Notably, this facility will stand out as the state’s first privately-owned rink, aligning with the Black Rock Resort, as disclosed by McCloskey to KSL Sports.

Slated for opening in the fall of 2024, the rink is designed to accommodate approximately 2,000 spectators alongside additional standing areas. The concert capacity will be 3,300 people, and the rink will also feature a three-story fitness center.

The Outliers’ previous base was at the Acord Ice Arena in West Valley City.

McCloskey, reflecting on the potential impact of the NHL’s expansion to Utah, expressed optimism about the sport’s future in the state. He shared with KSL Sports, “If that ever works, it would be an unbelievable blessing for the hockey community,” he remarked, highlighting the local aspirations to integrate more homegrown talent into the team.

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