Mayor Jones Announces Installation of Seasonal Ice Skating Rink

~Grand opening scheduled for December 22~

The city of Richmond is getting further into the holiday spirit as Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced the imminent opening of an 8,400 square foot ice skating rink. Work has begun to prepare the site for the installation of the rink, which is expected to be in place within two weeks. "Plan to get those ice skates out or rent a pair on site, but do prepare to come downtown and enjoy the skating pleasure this holiday season," said Mayor Jones.

Mayor Jones announced last year his desire to place an ice skating rink attraction in downtown Richmond. The city's new ice skating rink will be located adjacent to Center Stage at 6th Street on the Broad Street side. Children under ten will be allowed free admission, but will require adult supervision. The admission price for all others will be $5 per person. Skate rentals are $3 a pair for kids and $5 for adults. Rink users can bring their own skates.

A grand opening event for the rink is being planned for the evening of December 22nd at 6:00 p.m. Holiday hours are expected to be set for the rink with shorter hours anticipated after the holiday season. A final operational schedule is being prepared and will be announced in the coming weeks.

“CenterStage is thrilled to have this wonderful rink in our back yard,” said Richard Parison, CenterStage Foundation Executive Director. “This is another wonderful attraction designed to bring families downtown to enjoy all the City has to offer. It’s great synergy to have an ice skating rink next to a performing arts center. I’m sure that children and families coming to see The Nutcracker will see this ice rink and plan to come back for skating, and those here to skate will hear about one of our fantastic shows!”

The ice rink purchase price and installation costs have been funded completely through donations to the city of Richmond. Initial costs for the rink along with the inventory of skates are approximately $155,000.

"I think lots of Richmonders and visitors to our city will enjoy the novelty of ice skating," continued Mayor Jones. "This is another way to bring fun and excitement to downtown and to provide a healthy outlet that can add to the physical fitness of our city."

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