Ice rink signals winter is here

Forty feet longer than last year, the Arlington Square Ice Rink transformed a parking lot across from the Carson City Nugget into a winter wonderland Thursday.

The rink, opening Wednesday at 6 p.m., is 55 feet wide by 120 feet long.

"We love having the rink downtown," said Purple Avocado owner Sue Jones. "It just adds to the whole atmosphere of a community-friendly downtown."

Jones said because of the rink's allure, she sees an increase in weekend customers to her shop two blocks north.

B'Sghetti's owner Scott Doerr said he also likes the downtown rink.

"I think the skating rink for the downtown area is fantastic," Doerr said. "It's brought thousands of people to the downtown area and it gives the impression and image of a holiday, festive vibrant downtown. It is wide open so all those driving through Carson City can see the activity, and that's frankly one thing our downtown lacks is any sort of foot traffic or tourism."

Special skating sessions are slated for Thanksgiving and Christmas days and there also will be a New Years' Eve skate that will go until 1 a.m.

Discounts are offered weekdays in the early evening to draw in Carson City students after school hours, and discounted family night tickets are available on Mondays and Tuesdays.

There also are discount passes for 10, 15 and 20 visits, and the place is available for private party rentals.

Joel Dunn, operations manager for the recreation division of Parks and Recreation, said the rink's existence is a joint effort from the community.

"This is one of the events where everyone comes together to make it happen," he said.

Last year, 8,222 skaters slid onto the ice. Dunn said that this year he hopes to attract 10,000 skaters to try out the larger rink, two large warming tents and brand new skates the city purchased.

The rink opens one week before the downtown Silver and Snowflakes Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony set for Dec. 2 at the Capitol at 5:30 p.m.

The state trees will be lit, Santa will give out candy canes, and the 300 voices of the Carson City 5th grade Music Students Singing Ensemble and the Carson Middle School Advanced Handbell Choir will contribute the music.