It was named after the late Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., who was killed when his B-24 Liberator exploded during a bombing mission.

The facility also doubled as an ice hockey rink for Barnstable High School.

[1] In 1960, the rink was extended in length from 185 to 215 feet, with its official 85 foot hockey width.

At the time, this made it the second largest in the northeastern United States, behind one in West Point, New York.

For many years, the rink was home to Barnstable High School's after prom celebration.