Ice rink boosts Carson businesses

Taxable sales for Carson City in December hint that the Arlington Square Ice Rink had a positive effect on downtown business.

While total taxable sales were down by 13 percent over the prior year, sales for food services and drinking places shot up 35.4 percent. In addition, sales in the amusement, gambling and recreation category also went up 14.1 percent.

A press release issued last week by Carson Nugget General Manager Star Anderson praised the rink and credited it with helping downtown business during tough economic times.

"I really believe it helped beef up downtown business especially," Anderson said.

Anderson did note that food sales at the Nugget actually went down in December, but attributes that to changes in the menus, and that the drop could have been worse if not for the rink. She also noted that beverage sales were up during the same time period.

"This is a remarkably strong showing by a single business sector in any economy, but in this awful economy, for this particular sector, the spike is tremendous," said Carson City Finance Director Nick Providenti.

According to figures provided by the Carson City Office of Business Development, 10,011 skaters paid to skate on the rink this season, with an additional 220 who took advantage of the free skating day. The rink earned $126,686 in revenue, with the Nugget chipping in $70,000 more. The Nugget also covered the $82,359 bill for upgrading the power supply in order operate the rink's equipment.

Final expense figures were not available yet, according to Tammy Westergard, deputy manager for economic development for the city. The cost of renting the rink was $137,000.

A one-day special session of the Nevada Legislature in December, and the addition of 10 percent more restaurants operating in Carson City than the year before, also appear to have contributed to the rise in food and beverage sales in the area.

Carson City Downtown Consortium President Steve Neighbors praised the city for helping out with the efforts to develop downtown, including the ice rink and the farmer's market and pop-up park events during the summer.

"In this economy, the importance of proactive solutions cannot be overstated," said City Manager Larry Werner. He added that the second phase of the freeway set to be completed at the end of the year will reduce drive-through traffic, and that downtown redevelopment is essential for the health of the small businesses in the area.

"Redeveloping downtown is essential to keep dollars in Carson City," said Eric Abowd, a rink sponsor and owner of Abowd and Rose Financial Group. "A small business owner needs the confidence as well as the commitment that Carson wants its citizens to work, live, and spend their money throughout town by investing and improving the quality of the downtown area. If the city expects there to be a pride about Carson, then the first step is implementing programs to show redevelopment is more than just a good idea."

- Contact reporter Kirk Caraway at kcaraway@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1261.