The Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena (Friends of FDIA), a not for profit 501[c]3,  was formed in the summer of 1996 in response to the pending closure of the ice arena by its owner, the National Park Service.  Parents and friends organized and took over the management of the arena, revitalizing the facility that is located in the heart of Ward 7 in Southeast DC.  During the past eleven years, Friends of FDIA has initiated and overseen major repairs, including a new addition to house offices and an educational meeting room complete with eight computer workstations, a refurbished lobby and concession stand, and an expanded skate shop.  In addition to bricks and mortar support, Friends of FDIA created the Kids On Ice (KOI) program, providing free figure skating, hockey and speed skating lessons to economically disadvantaged children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn these sports.  This program is unique in that all three types of skating are Olympic sports, it offers programming to both boys and girls, and parents can choose from either a team sport or an individual sport.  The FDIA is the only public indoor ice arena located in Washington, DC and the only skating facility in the area that provides free or subsidized skating programs to children. 

The mission of Friends of FDIA is to provide increased opportunity, education and inspiration to the young people of Washington, DC and the surrounding area through ice skating and educational activities.  The organization partners with public and private schools, summer camps, churches and local community organizations to promote and deliver the arena’s many programs.  The Friends of FDIA now serves over 10,000 children per year, and with the increased programs and services, the facility effectively functions as a community center.