Glide into Better Health
For Tawny Lane, Manager of the Coachella Valley Skate Academy (CV SK8 Academy) at the Berger Foundation Iceplex, the rink is more than just a workplace - it’s her sanctuary on blades. Whether gliding gracefully as a figure skater or charging across the ice in a hockey game, Lane says that skating offers an unparalleled sense of freedom and a unique way to connect with your body and the world around you.
The benefits of skating go beyond sheer joy, however, as Lane emphasizes how a consistent skating routine enhances cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and muscle strength - especially in the legs and core.
“Skating improves balance and coordination in ways I think only the ice can provide,” Lane says. She also highlights the social aspect, describing how skaters come together to share skills, celebrate progress and support one another - whether choreographing routines or bonding as teammates in a hockey match.
Leslie Deacon agrees. As Vice President and General Manager of the Iceplex, Deacon has more than 30 years of experience as an international skating and hockey edge coach, as well as overseeing programs and facilities nationwide.
A former competitive figure skater herself, Deacon knows firsthand the transformative power of skating. She highlights its value as a lifetime sport, with participants ranging from toddlers to individuals in their 90s.
“Beyond the physical benefits, skating is incredible for mental health,” she says. “It releases endorphins and genuinely makes people happy.”
Steven Alley, Associate Vice President, Surgical Services, Eisenhower Health, exemplifies the lifelong benefits of skating. Having grown up in Michigan, Alley has been playing hockey since the age of 5.
He has played recreational hockey at the Iceplex since it opened and is currently captain of the Adult Hockey League’s B Division. Alley, who tries to get on the ice three times a week, notes that playing hockey has increased his agility, balance and hand-eye coordination. He also highlights the cardiovascular advantage of long-term commitment to the sport.
“As people get older, balance can become an issue, so skating on a blade that’s just an 1/8 of an inch thick is a great way to improve stability. Plus, anything that gets the heart rate up contributes to better overall health,” he says.
Beyond the physical benefits, Alley emphasizes the mental and social aspects of skating.
“When I’m on the ice, I don’t think of anything except what’s in front of me or what’s going on in the moment,” he says. “I haven’t found another sport or activity that is so restorative - it’s phenomenal.”
Iceplex Adult Hockey Coordinator Brandon Mullin shares that many Coachella Valley residents are new to skating. For some players in the Adult League, this is their first time on a team or participating in organized sports.
“They are very excited to be a part of the team and soak up the camaraderie,” says Mullin.
The Iceplex offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop their skills and enjoy the sport. Early on, young skaters who stay with the sport develop vital life skills that extend beyond the rink.
“Skating builds determination, dedication, pride in achievement, focus and teamwork,” Deacon explains. “It teaches participants how to set goals and reach them, helping to develop well-rounded individuals.”
Whether age 3 or 73, the Iceplex provides a comprehensive path to learning. Programs like “Learn to Play” hockey, the six-level adult skating curriculum and “Learn to Skate” classes for ages 3 to 17 start with core fundamentals.
Skaters can progress to advanced-training programs to hone their skills. The facility also hosts kids and adult camps, clinics, figure skating recitals and hockey tournaments, allowing skaters to showcase their skills and compete in a supportive environment. Open daily, the Iceplex offers frequent public skating sessions.
“We’re proud to be the official training center for the Coachella Valley Firebirds,” Deacon says, “but we’’re also a community rink at heart. Our goal is to create a welcoming hub where everyone can discover the joy of skating.”
Visit BergerFoundationIceplex.com or call 760.835.5000 to learn more about ice skating and hockey programs.
Eisenhower Staff Come Together at the Rink
Steven Alley, Associate Vice President, Surgical Services, Eisenhower Health, has been playing hockey since the age of 5. He has played recreational hockey at the Iceplex since it opened and is currently captain of the Adult Hockey League’s B Division.
Edward McDonald, DO, is a Board Certified, fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon, who moved to Coachella Valley in August 2024 to join Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center. The Berger Foundation Iceplex in Palm Desert was one of many motivating factors in choosing the desert. Dr. McDonald would be able to practice medicine and continue his longstanding participation in ice hockey, as he played competitively in high school and throughout four years of medical school in Colorado.
Dr. McDonald believes that playing hockey throughout his life has translated to better hand-eye coordination, and he has applied that training to the operating room. He has no plans to stop anytime soon.
“Hockey is such a great workout,” he says. “There is an amazing hockey community out here. I’m really excited to be more involved in the future.”
In July 2023, Jill Flores, MBA, RRT-ACCS, Director, Respiratory Operations, Eisenhower Health, decided she would attend a women’s Learn to Play ice hockey class after seeing a posting about it on social media. She decided she would buy all the gear and attend the class without even knowing how to put it on. The rest was history.
“Who is this woman out playing sports competitively and going out to tournaments?” jokes Jill Flores.
Flores does not have a history of playing sports, but this one has her hooked.
“It’s 1,000 percent the community of women that I play with who keep me going,” Flores adds. “They are just the best human beings and we come from a wide variety of backgrounds.”
Women ranging in age from their 60s to as young as 13 play together to improve their game and, unlike other sports that require certain physical characteristics, there is a place for those with a variety of talents. From speed to stick handling, “hockey really is for everyone,” says Flores.
“Whatever reservations you have, just put them to the side because it really is so much fun,” says Flores.
“Try it. It is such a great activity and it has the best community of people of all ages.”
