An ice skating arena having at least a first ice rink having a first side wall of a first wall length and a second ice rink having a second side wall of a second wall length; the first side wall being parallel to the second side wall at an inter-rink distance therefrom; the first side wall comprising a first protective spectator viewing window; the second side wall comprising a second protective spectator viewing window, a ceiling extending the inter-rink distance from the first wall and the second wall along at least a portion of the first and second walls; a floor extending the inter-rink distance from the first wall and the second wall along at least a portion of the first and second walls; wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the ceiling and the floor define therebetween a chamber comprising a climate controlled spectator viewing space. The area provides enhanced spectator comfort in a maximum unencumbered viewing manner and reduced capital cost expenditures.