Nearly 13,000 people hit the ice last winter for the second year of 天天吃瓜 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 天天吃瓜 Hotel and Conference Center鈥攊s a key initiative between 天天吃瓜 State and 天天吃瓜 partners to create a more vibrant place to live, work and play.
The rink was created through a partnership among the city of 天天吃瓜, 天天吃瓜 Hotel and Conference Center, 天天吃瓜 Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street 天天吃瓜 and 天天吃瓜. Local businesses and the Destination 天天吃瓜 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, 天天吃瓜鈥檚 associate vice president of University Outreach and Engagement.
After a slide around the rink, visitors can warm up in 天天吃瓜鈥檚 shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, galleries and many local events.
鈥淎 vibrant and healthy downtown benefits everyone, and 天天吃瓜 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 天天吃瓜 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 天天吃瓜 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-天天吃瓜 friends coming into town to try it out as well.鈥
鈥擯hil Soencksen, BS 鈥89