You’re driving down Great Road in Princeton, past the rolling hills and the kind of estates that make you wonder what everyone does for a living, and there it is. Princeton Day School (PDS). But tucked away on that campus isn’t just a school gym. It’s the Lisa McGraw Skating Rink, a place that honestly feels more like a private sanctuary for ice lovers than a standard suburban hockey box.
Most people think "Princeton skating" and their minds go straight to Baker Rink at the University. It makes sense. Baker is historic. But if you're a figure skater—or if you've ever spent a Tuesday night shivering in the bleachers watching a travel hockey game—you know the Lisa McGraw rink is where the real work happens.
It isn't just a sheet of ice. It’s a 35,000-square-foot facility that has quietly become a cornerstone of the North Jersey skating scene.
The Mystery of Lisa McGraw
Who was Lisa McGraw? Seriously. If you walk into the rink, you see the name everywhere, but most folks just assume she was a donor. She was. But she was so much more than a checkbook.
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Elizabeth "Lisa" McGraw Webster was a 1944 graduate of Miss Fine’s School (which later merged to become PDS). She wasn't just some socialite with a hobby; she was a competitive force. Her parents were charter members of the Princeton Skating Club back in 1933. She grew up on the ice, eventually becoming a "silent" powerhouse in the figure skating world.
Did you know she basically bankrolled the training for Paul Wylie and Nancy Kerrigan?
It's true. She met Wylie when he was just eleven. When he went to Harvard in 1986, she stepped in to sponsor him. She was in the stands at Albertville in '92 when he grabbed the Silver. She did the same for Kerrigan. While the rest of the world was obsessed with the tabloid drama, Lisa was focused on the technicality of the edge. That spirit—that deep, almost obsessive love for the "perfect" skate—is baked into the walls of this rink.
Not Your Average High School Rink
Look, I've been in plenty of high school rinks where the locker rooms smell like a damp basement and the ice has more ruts than a dirt road. Lisa McGraw is different.
The facility underwent a massive overhaul around 1998, handled by V. J. Scozzari & Sons. They didn't just slap on a new coat of paint. They used an Integrated Project Delivery method to turn it into a year-round, state-of-the-art venue.
Why the Ice Feels "Different"
If you talk to the skaters who train here, they’ll tell you the ice is "fast." That’s not an accident. The rink uses a Munters Desiccant Dehumidification System.
- It keeps the air dry.
- Dry air means less frost buildup on the ice.
- Less frost means a smoother, harder surface.
Basically, it’s a setup designed for triple axels, not just beer league slapshots. The facility even has a massive viewing room, which is a godsend when it's 10 degrees outside and you've been watching your kid miss their back-check for forty minutes.
The Princeton Skating Club Connection
You can’t talk about this rink without talking about the Princeton Skating Club (PSC). It’s a private, member-owned 501(c)(7). That "private" label scares some people off, thinking it’s an elitist thing.
In reality? It's just a way to ensure the ice isn't a chaotic mess.
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They run everything from "Group Lessons" for toddlers who look like baby giraffes on ice to "Comprehensive" memberships for the high-level competitors. Every year, they host the Lisa McGraw Webster Spring Classic. If you want to see the future of US Figure Skating, that’s where you go. It’s a sanctioned US Figure Skating event, and the level of talent is, frankly, intimidating.
A Multi-Sport Hub
Don't get it twisted—hockey is huge here too.
The rink is the home turf for the PDS Panthers. If you've never been to a PDS vs. Lawrenceville game, you’re missing out on some of the best high school rivalries in Jersey. It’s loud, it’s cramped, and the energy is electric.
Recently, the school added a whole new Athletic Center (designed by ARC) that wraps around the rink. Now, you’ve got:
- Four international squash courts.
- Two multi-purpose athletic courts.
- Indoor batting cages.
- A massive "Commons" area where you can grab a coffee and pretend you're not freezing.
It’s transformed from a standalone rink into a full-blown sports complex. But the ice remains the heart of it.
Common Misconceptions
I hear this all the time: "Oh, is that the rink on the University campus?"
No. That’s Baker Rink. Baker is awesome, don't get me wrong, but it’s owned by Princeton University. The Lisa McGraw rink is private property owned by Princeton Day School at 650 Great Road.
Another one: "Is it open for public skating?"
Rarely. Unlike "Ice Land" or the Mercer County Skating Center, this isn't a "show up with $10 and rent some dull skates" kind of place. It’s primarily for the school, the Princeton Skating Club, and various hockey organizations like the Princeton Junior Tigers. If you want to skate here, you usually have to be part of a program or a club.
What Really Matters: The Legacy
When Lisa McGraw passed away in 2014, she left behind more than just a name on a building. She left a blueprint for how a private foundation can support an Olympic sport without seeking the spotlight. The Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation still doles out hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to organizations like Figure Skating in Harlem and the Ice Theatre of New York.
That’s why this rink feels different. It isn't just a place to burn calories. It’s a monument to a woman who believed that if you give a kid good ice and a little support, they might just win an Olympic medal.
How to actually get on the ice:
- Join the Princeton Skating Club: If you're serious about figure skating, this is the move. They offer family and individual memberships that give you dedicated ice time away from the public chaos.
- Check the Spring Classic: Even if you don't skate, go watch. The event usually happens around late May or early June. It’s free to watch most sessions and the talent is world-class.
- PDS Summer Camps: If you have kids, the school runs ice hockey and skating camps during the summer. It’s the easiest way for non-students to access the facility.
- Follow the Junior Tigers: If you're a hockey family, look into the PJT. They use Lisa McGraw as one of their primary training hubs.
Safety and Rules Note: Since this is a school campus, security is tight. Don't just wander around the school buildings. Stay in the rink area, and if you’re there for a game, remember there’s a strict "no alcohol" policy on the grounds. They don't play around with that.