In the early 2000s, the mall became home to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, headquarters and practice facility for the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals, as well as the DC location of the ComedySportz improvisational theatre organization.
Originally named Ballston Ice Arena, it was renamed by Washington, D.C. area real estate developer Robert C. Kettler.
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Ted Leonsis, who bought the Capitals in 1999, began looking to build a new practice facility and in 2004, the team secured agreements with Arlington County to build a new rink on top of the Ballston Public Parking Garage.
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The building was designed by William R. Drury of the Reston, Virginia based firm, Architecture, Incorporated, and completed in November 2006 at a cost of $42.8 million.
Piney Orchard Ice Arena, located at the corner of Piney Orchard Boulevard and Riverscape Drive, had been the practice site for the Washington Capitals ice hockey team until 2006, when they moved to their newly built practice facility, Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia.
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Until the 2010-11 season the team played in Arlington, Virginia at the 1,200-seat Kettler Capitals Iceplex, official practice facility of the Washington Capitals, but now play at the multi-rink Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Maryland.