Chamber invites community to skate for free

It could very well turn out to be a record-setting day for ice skating in Carson City.

The entire community is invited to the Arlington Square Ice Rink on Tuesday for free skating - hosted by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.

"The community is invited, and the chamber is picking up the tab. Maybe this will become an annual tradition," said Stan Jones, second vice chair on the chamber's board of directors.

"Jim Smolenski and I went to Chamber President Scott Dockery with the idea, and he said it was a great idea and for us to run with it," Jones said. "We met with Joel Dunn (Carson City Parks and Recreation operations manager). The city was very cooperative, and we let them pick the date."

The Tuesday sessions during which the chamber will pay for skating and skate rentals for anyone who wants to participate will be from 11 a.m. to

2 p.m. and from 3-5 p.m., Jones said.

"The parks and rec's larger rink has made all the difference in the world," Jones said. "I've gone by and seen what looks like 60-70 people - and it was really cold that day. There were so many people there that you couldn't fall down if you wanted to."

The rink is 40 feet longer than last year.

Jones said the chamber is hoping for a great turnout.

"We want the community to know we're community-minded and that we want to give something back," said Jones, who is also vice chairman for the city's redevelopment authority citizens' committee.

"Everything takes time to get going, and this is the third year (for the rink). I've been a supporter from the beginning, and we're hoping more and more organizations will want to get involved and give support to parks and recreation," he said.

"This is one of those quality of life things that makes Carson City a good place to live," he said.

Jones said Smolenski, immediate past chair for the chamber, is a master skater and would like to see as many people as possible get on board.

"He's from North Dakota and he flies around that rink," Jones said.

Smolenski said he is a big fan of the Arlington Square Ice Rink.

"I think it's an absolutely fabulous thing for the chamber to give back to the community. Stan said 70 years ago, the chamber hosted movies and popcorn, so it's a long-standing tradition."