Robert Crown Community Center: Visitor Guide

Robert Crown Community Center Hours

The City of Evanston publishes daily facility hours of 6 AM–10 PM, with office hours of 8:30 AM–8:30 PM. These are not guaranteed ice-skating, library, classroom or gym activity hours.

Call 847-448-8258 or consult the City’s Robert Crown facility page when your visit depends on a particular activity.

Public Ice Skating: Prices, Times and Tickets

Robert Crown has two NHL-sized indoor ice rinks. Public skating is offered in designated sessions, rather than as unrestricted rink access throughout the day.

2026 Public Skate Admission

Other Skate Fees

Regularly Published Public Skate Sessions

The City’s registration listing includes the following recurring sessions through December 2027, subject to dated exceptions and rink availability.

Example: What Will a Family Spend?

For two adults and two children ages 17 or under:

These examples use regular public-skating rates, not DJ or special-event rates.

How to Buy Public Skating Tickets

1. Choose a session. Open the official Public Ice Skating page and check the available schedule and cancellations.
2. Find Public Skating Tickets. Follow the City’s linked registration or ticketing system.
3. Select the date and number of skaters. Choose the appropriate adult or youth admissions for everyone going onto the ice.
4. Complete checkout. Tickets can generally be purchased up to seven days ahead. The City’s public-skating information says advance purchasing closes two hours before the session.
5. Arrive for check-in. The City lists a 30-minute pre-session in-person ticket and check-in period. Bring your booking details.
6. Rent skates if needed. Pay the separate $4 rental charge at the facility and obtain any required wristband before skating.

Ticket rules: Regular skating tickets are nonrefundable, though they may be transferable within a City of Evanston household account. Remaining same-day tickets are first-come, first-served. DJ Skate Night tickets are sold in person.

Which Skate Sizes Are Available?

Rules That Matter on the Ice

• Wear proper ice skates. Street shoes are not allowed on the rink.
• Dress warmly; the City describes a typical rink temperature near 60°F.
• Gloves, long sleeves and long pants are recommended.
• Do not carry small children, phones, handbags or other loose objects while skating.
• Hockey sticks, pucks, rough games, racing, jumps and spins are prohibited during ordinary public skate.
• Skate in the posted direction and follow rink-guard instructions.
• Skate helpers may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Adults remain responsible for supervising children.

The official Public Skate Rules PDF includes the full safety requirements.

What Can You Do Inside Robert Crown Center?

The current community center opened in 2020 and combines recreation, sports, education and community gathering spaces. It is useful for more than ice skating.

Public Gym and Pickleball: Before You Visit

Robert Crown is an active league and rental facility. A court being inside an open building does not mean it is available for drop-in basketball or pickleball at that moment.

• Check the current open-gym schedule on the City facility page.
• Confirm the sport and age group allowed for the session.
• Ask if a fee or advance registration applies to that particular activity.
• Bring suitable non-marking athletic footwear.
• For organized group play, use the gym-rental process instead of assuming public access.

Skating Lessons and Hockey

Figure skating, synchronized skating, hockey and skill-development programs are offered at different levels. A skating lesson and a public-skating ticket are not interchangeable.

1. Open the official Robert Crown program directory.
2. Choose Figure Skating, Hockey, Public Ice Skating or the relevant youth program.
3. Read age requirements, skill prerequisites and class dates.
4. Select the available registration link and create or sign into the City’s registration account.
5. Choose an available program and complete registration. Save your confirmation and equipment instructions.

Drop-In Pottery

The City’s pottery listing describes self-directed studio time for people with prior pottery experience, ages 7 and older. The published fee is $19 per session. It is not a beginner class with instruction. Check the actual session date before paying because availability is limited.

Robert Crown Branch Library: Hours and Services

The Robert Crown Branch Library shares the 1801 Main Street address but operates independently from the recreation front desk. You can use it for reading, library services, study, computer-related resources and scheduled programs.

Study Rooms and Reservations

The Robert Crown Branch includes study rooms numbered 113, 114 and 115. The library’s rules specify that Robert Crown study room reservations must be made by someone age 18 or older who remains present during use.

1. Decide whether you need a study room, library card service, books or an event.
2. For study rooms, open the Evanston Public Library study-room page.
3. Select the reservation option and look for Robert Crown availability.
4. Follow the library’s booking requirements and room-capacity instructions.
5. Bring any required library information and arrive within the reserved period.

Check Robert Crown Library hours, closures and upcoming events.

Child Care, Preschool and After-School Programs

Robert Crown Community Center is also a child care and education site. The City identifies DCFS-licensed services and after-school programs for ages 2–12.

How to Ask About Enrollment

1. Identify the child’s age, school schedule and preferred program dates.
2. Open the City’s Child Care and Education page.
3. Review the listed program category, registration instructions and eligibility.
4. For after-school questions, contact the City’s listed program office at 847-866-5949.
5. Confirm fees, schedules, available places and required paperwork before relying on a placement.

Child care is a separately managed program. Do not assume it is an unrestricted drop-in child-watch service for all gym or skating visitors.

Birthday Parties, Ice Rentals, Gym and Event Rooms

Robert Crown has options for skating parties, private rink rental, sports practices and community events. Choosing the correct rental type saves time because their pricing and included amenities are different.

Ice Skating Birthday Party Package

The skating party package includes:

• 25 public-skating admission tickets.
• 25 skate-rental tickets.
• Access to Room E for the designated party period.
• A published maximum of 30 people in the party room.
• Saturday or Sunday availability in the listed party windows.

Birthday Booking Conditions

Published reservation windows include noon–3 PM or 12:30–3:30 PM, depending on availability and package scheduling.

How to Request a Skating Birthday Party

1. Choose a Saturday or Sunday and estimate the number of participants and spectators.
2. Review the standard package inclusions, 30-person room limit and $150 deposit.
3. Visit the official Ice Skating Party page.
4. Select the Birthday Skate Party Request Form linked there.
5. Provide your contact information, date preferences and event requirements.
6. Wait for staff to confirm the date and arrangements. A request is not a completed booking.
7. Complete the agreement and payment deadlines communicated by the rental office.

Last-minute requests during the same week generally cannot be accommodated.

Private Ice Rental Prices

If your group needs dedicated ice for a hockey practice, private skate or team event, private ice rental is different from the birthday package.

Rental periods and rates are subject to the City’s current contract terms. Ice-skating rentals may include rental-skate options; hockey rentals have locker room access but do not provide hockey-equipment rentals.

Open official private ice rental information and request form.

Logan Gym Rental Rates

Gym rentals can be configured for basketball, volleyball and pickleball. The rental descriptions include up to three pickleball nets for half-gym use or six for full-gym use. Setup and cleanup allowances, equipment arrangements and locker-room needs should be confirmed in advance.

Read the official gym-rental requirements.

Renting Meeting Rooms or Social Event Space

Robert Crown also offers multipurpose rooms and social-event spaces. Smaller gatherings may not need an entire gym or ice rink. Room selection should be based on the number of guests, table arrangements, accessibility, equipment and event duration.

General Event Booking Steps

1. Choose the space type and estimate the guest count.
2. Prepare at least two possible event dates.
3. Decide whether you need sports equipment, AV, tables, chairs, locker rooms or separate activity access.
4. Open the official rental directory and choose the correct space.
5. Complete the related rental request form.
6. Wait for the City’s response, generally within 2–4 business days.
7. Review the applicable agreement, deposit, refund conditions and remaining payment deadline before confirming plans.

For general rental questions, call 847-448-8258. The City also directs residents to Evanston 311 at 847-448-4311 for assistance.

Parking, Accessibility and Directions

What to Know About Parking

• Use the address at 1801 Main Street rather than the former Robert Crown facility location.
• Allow extra arrival time when skating sessions, hockey games or weekend events overlap.
• Look for designated accessible spaces near the building.
• If you need step-free access, adaptive arrangements or an accommodation, confirm the appropriate entrance with staff.
• Visitors with specific accessibility requests can contact the City through 311 or its ADA services.

Public Transportation

Robert Crown is in Evanston’s Main Street area. Visitors using CTA, Metra or local buses should check their actual stop, accessible route and walking directions for the day. Do not confuse this facility with other community centers closer to downtown Evanston.

First-Time Visitor Checklist

Five Common Mistakes to Avoid