The Tampa Department of Recreation recently opened an ice skating rink. Tampa’s Downtown on Ice is located in front of the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Ashley Drive.
The rink, which will operate until January 2, is a good way for the Downtown Tampa community to get moving.
J.R. Malone, the venue’s manager, said the rink has been extremely successful and that its been “super busy on the weekends.”
Downtown on Ice, which opened November 19, attracts students looking for an alternative to their usual activities.
They’ve been seeing a lot of younger children during the week.
“Last week we had 500 kids a day when school was out,” said Malone.
“I’m seeing a lot of adults who skated as kids. Now they can bring their kids and introduce them to the sport.”
Outdoor ice-skating is a favorite holiday tradition, though obviously normally located in cities that have colder climates.
Downtown Tampa is lucky to have one of the few outdoor ice skating rinks in Florida.
With the right equipment, the maintenance is easy.
Downtown on Ice uses a high tech cooling system and tent to keep the ice cold and block out sunlight.
“Its just a matter of enough cooling power,” said Malone.
“The company I work for has even done ice rinks on the beach in Panama—and without a tent.”
Downtown on Ice could become an annual tradition if the rest of its term continues to be successful.
“I don’t make the final call, but if it does well this year, we might be able to bring it back next year,” said Malone.
People who visit the ice rink like to come back, usually to introduce it to some of their friends.
“A lot of the kids come back over and over again,” said Jessica Harrell, a cashier at Downtown on Ice.
Harrell says working at the rink has been a great experience.
“I get to meet a lot of new people,” Harrell said. “People of all ages come here.”
Skating at the rink is priced at $10 for 90 minutes, including skate rentals.
The rink is open for skating Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 8 p.m.
Trinity Morgan can be reached at tmorgan@spartans.ut.edu.