Come join ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ President Todd Diacon, ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Mayor Jerry Fiala and the Marching Golden Flashes as they celebrate the opening of the new public rink, ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Skates, on Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. with music, free giveaways and, of course, ice skating.
Diacon and Fiala will be accompanied by Flash and the ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ cheerleaders to mark this exciting partnership between the city of ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ, ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Hotel and Conference Center, the ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ and ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ. Michelle Hartman, interim executive director of the ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Area Chamber of Commerce, will serve as host for the celebration.
‘Tis the season for ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Skates to remain open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Feb. 28. Use of the rink is free, including free skate rental. 
ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Skates is a seasonal rink located on a section of East Erie Street in downtown ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ between St. Rt. 59 (Haymaker Parkway) and South Depeyster Street, which is between the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA) parking deck and the ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Hotel and Conference Center. This section of East Erie Street is closed from Oct. 15 until March 15 to allow for setup and takedown of the rink.
The support of many great community partners made ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Skates a reality, including presenting partner AMETEK. A venue such as this helps build up the community and serves the purpose of reaching multiple groups from the ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ community.
The rink will add to the options that downtown has to offer, and it will connect students to community members in a fun, inclusive environment. The location features food and beverages at a snack bar, the Zamboni Café, and visits from food trucks. Plus, the restaurants and shops of downtown ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ are just steps away.
To learn more about ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Skates and all the activities happening this holiday season or to schedule your private group activity, please visit the ÃÛÌÒ¹¤×÷ÊÒ Skates website for more details.