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