Grand Traverse County Civic Center

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Parks

Michigan

Nearby: East Bay Park Clancy Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Grand Traverse County Civic Center is a multi-purpose facility located in Traverse City, Michigan.

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Summary

It comprises two ice arenas, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and several meeting rooms and event spaces. The facility is open year-round and hosts a variety of events, including ice skating, hockey games, swim meets, and fitness classes.

One of the main reasons to visit the Grand Traverse County Civic Center is for its recreational offerings. The ice arenas are popular for public skating and ice hockey, while the indoor pool is ideal for lap swimming and water aerobics. The fitness center is equipped with cardio machines, weightlifting equipment, and group exercise classes.

Another point of interest at the Civic Center is the Traverse City Figure Skating Club, which trains skaters of all ages and levels. The club hosts an annual ice show featuring local and national skaters.

Interesting facts about the Grand Traverse County Civic Center include its history as a former air base during World War II, and its use as a filming location for the movie "Somewhere in Time." The Civic Center also has a strong commitment to sustainability, with features like a geothermal heating and cooling system and a green roof.

The best time of year to visit the Grand Traverse County Civic Center depends on personal preferences and interests. The ice arenas are typically busiest during the winter months, while the indoor pool and fitness center are popular year-round. However, the facility also hosts events and activities throughout the year, so there is always something to do.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

Related References

Area Campgrounds

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Traverse City State Park
Traverse City State Park Campground
Arbutus No. 4 - State Forest
Arbutus Number Four State Forest Campground
Schecks Place - State Forest
Scheck's Place State Forest Campground