Caps To Skate At Ballston

After months of construction delays, the new practice rink in Arlington is finally ready for use. Well, mostly ready, that is.

The Capitals will make their debut at Kettler Capitals Iceplex tomorrow morning at 10:30, prior to hosting the New York Rangers at Verizon Center at 7 p.m. The pregame skate will be open and free to the public, as will all future practices. There is, however, a $1 charge for parking in the garage, which is attached to Ballston Common Mall.

The state-of-the-art, $43 million facility will serve as the team's training facility and headquarters, which, at eight stories above street level, is believed to be the highest rink in the country.

Everything isn't completely done yet. The training areas are still being finished up, as are the offices.

After writing about a dozen stories about this place over the past few years, I can't wait to see players actually skating there.

I'll have more details in tomorrow's paper.