Leadership
Robert Unger, Larry LaBorde, Chambliss and Ruth Pierce, Shawnda Ernst, Julia Hardin, Gregory Fuller, and many others helped shape both the business and the skating-school culture over decades.
A graphic depiction of the Ice Chalet's main entrance was created in 2002 by Julia Hardin from Larry LaBorde's vision.
A Knoxville Landmark
Generations of Knoxvillians remember the Ice Chalet as an after-school destination, a Friday-night social center, a place to learn skating and hockey, and a second home for families who spent years around the rink.
The building opened in 1962 through Chalet Ice Rinks, Inc. and was one of the first two skating rinks in the South with regularly scheduled public sessions. The Friday-night couple skate, the mirror ball, and the familiar rink atmosphere all became part of the Ice Chalet identity.
In 1963, professional skater Robert Unger moved to Knoxville and established the Robert Unger School of Ice Skating. His influence shaped both the school and the rink's long-term culture.
School, Competition, and Performance Traditions
The first years of operation were financially difficult, but the rink grew significantly after Robert Unger became General Manager and Vice President in 1964. Over the next decade he helped turn the Ice Chalet into a stronger and more successful operation.
In 1969, the Ice Chalet hosted one of the first Ice Skating Institute of America competitions: the Mississippi Valley District Invitational Team Competition. That event continued annually, eventually became international, and later took on the Robert Unger competition name. It remains one of the defining traditions of the rink.
The Ice Chalet also built a long history in team skating, dance, freestyle, synchronized skating, and performance. Students competed out of town, won district titles, and helped establish Knoxville as a serious recreational skating community.
Special shows have been part of the rink's identity for decades. In 1987, students first performed Nutcracker On Ice, and the production has remained one of the most recognizable Ice Chalet traditions ever since.
In 2016, the school name became the Robert Unger and Larry LaBorde School of Ice Skating. In 2018, the familiar hat logo was updated to reflect that shared legacy.
The skating-school hat logo remains one of the most recognizable symbols tied to the rink's identity.
The Facility and Equipment
The Ice Chalet building has held up through decades of use with a steady commitment to maintenance and improvement. The cooling pipes and header were replaced in 1992, and major equipment investments continued through later decades.
The rink's Zamboni history is part of that story as well. The first Ice Chalet resurfacer dated back to 1955 and was later restored by the Zamboni company for museum display. Additional resurfacing machines were added over the years, and the skating club later helped purchase an electric Zamboni.
Viewing booths, party and dressing rooms, the crows nest lighting control room, the Cafe Chalet, and later window improvements all reflect how the facility adapted while keeping its recognizable character.
The lobby mural has also remained a prominent visual feature since the rink opened in 1962.
People and Legacy
Community
The rink introduced skating and hockey to generations of students, including University of Tennessee participants, and became a training ground for recreational, competitive, and professional pathways.
Skating Club Roots
Out-of-town competition expenses led to Robert Unger Moms and PopS, or RUMPS, in 1985. That effort eventually evolved into the Ice Chalet Skating Club of Knoxville.
Still Active
The Ice Chalet remains a living history, not just an archive. Its programs, events, and families continue to build on a foundation established more than sixty years ago.