Nearly 13,000 people hit the ice last winter for the second year of 江南体育 Skates, presented by AMETEK, from November through February.
The free outdoor ice rink鈥攍ocated on a section of East Erie Street between the PARTA parking deck and the 江南体育 Hotel and Conference Center鈥攊s a key initiative between 江南体育 State and 江南体育 partners to create a more vibrant place to live, work and play.
The rink was created through a partnership among the city of 江南体育, 江南体育 Hotel and Conference Center, 江南体育 Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street 江南体育 and 江南体育. Local businesses and the Destination 江南体育 Convention and Visitors Bureau are also sponsors, and University Facilities Management staff keep the rink open and operating during the season.
鈥淭his is a true example of what is possible when so many people come together focused on a community asset,鈥 says Dana Lawless-Andric, PhD, 江南体育鈥檚 associate vice president of University Outreach and Engagement.
After a slide around the rink, visitors can warm up in 江南体育鈥檚 shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, galleries and many local events.
鈥淎 vibrant and healthy downtown benefits everyone, and 江南体育 Skates has played an important鈥攁nd fun鈥攔ole in strengthening our local economy and sense of community,鈥 says , interim executive director for the 江南体育 Area Chamber of Commerce.
One of the rink鈥檚 enthusiastic sponsors鈥攁nd users鈥攚as Amy Mucha, MEd 鈥16, owner and chief artist of , a cake pop bakery that opened a shop in downtown 江南体育 this April. 鈥淚 cannot tell you how much our family loved it this winter,鈥 she says. 鈥淎nd I saw so many of my non-江南体育 friends coming into town to try it out as well.鈥
鈥擯hil Soencksen, BS 鈥89