Ice World
| Company type | Sports facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports and entertainment |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Totowa , United States |
| Products | Ice skating, hockey, boxing, professional wrestling events |
Ice World, also referred to as Ice World Arena or Totowa Ice World, was a sports facility situated in Totowa, New Jersey, positioned along New Jersey Route 62 close to U.S. Route 46. The venue commenced operations in 1977.
Ice Skating and Hockey
The facility housed two full-sized hockey rinks, one of which served as the primary rink featuring open spectator seating alongside a glass-enclosed executive box. It accommodated public skating sessions as well as practices and matches for both youth and adult hockey leagues. Additionally, it was the base for the New Jersey Rockets, a youth and semi-professional ice hockey team.
Hockey Training Facility
Between 1982 and 1986, the New Jersey Devils utilized Ice World as their practice rink following their relocation from Colorado. In 1986, the team transferred their training activities to Richard J. Codey Arena located in West Orange, New Jersey.
Boxing
Starting in 1978, Ice World became a significant site for professional boxing events when Dan Duva, son of trainer Lou Duva and head of the promotional company Main Events, began organizing matches there. With a seating capacity of approximately 3,000 spectators, the arena hosted more than thirty boxing events promoted by Duva, several of which were broadcast nationally on ABC.
Professional wrestling
Notable New York promoter Vincent J. McMahon also staged World Wide Wrestling Federation shows at Ice World. The inaugural event in 1978 showcased a bout between Bob Backlund and Spiros Arion. The organization, later known as the World Wrestling Federation, continued to hold events at this location until 1981.
Demise
The cessation of boxing promotions by Main Events at Ice World, coupled with the New Jersey Devils relocating to South Mountain Arena, led to a decline in revenue for the venue. Consequently, the arena closed its doors before the decade concluded.
After its closure, Supermarkets General Corporation leased the property and transformed it into a retail establishment, reopening it as a Rickel Home Center. Rickel operated there until 1997 when the chain was dissolved following bankruptcy proceedings.
Later, the site was occupied by two apparel retailers. Initially, Aisle 3—a weekend-only off-price store launched by Filene's Basement—operated from 1999 until its closure in 2000 after Filene's Basement was acquired and liquidated by Value City. Subsequently, the location functioned as a Forman Mills warehouse store until its lease ended in May 2005.