Megan Doherty June 30, 2012
Sacha Gross, 8, enjoying Canberra?s only open-air ice skating rink in Garema Place. Photo: Jay Cronan
Canberrans have got their skates on, with the national capital's outdoor ice rink busy with colour and movement soon after its opening to the public yesterday.
After a VIP opening on Thursday night, Skate in the City in Garema Place opened for business at 10am yesterday, the rink a third bigger than when it debuted last year.
The 400 square metre rink is constructed from 12,000 litres of water kept frozen at five centimetres thick thanks to a combination of polystyrene insulation, four kilometres of aluminium piping, a special chemical pumped through and green-powered energy.
Canberra CBD Limited chief executive officer Stephen Gregory said the organisation had listened to feedback about last year's event to improve the facility.
''We are excited to bring the rink back this year,'' he said. ''It's a third bigger in size and we have worked hard to improve the design as well as the entertainment that will be on show for everyone to enjoy.''
A new addition is the availability of a private party lounge.
Natanya Gross, of Sydney, was at the rink bright and early with her three children and two nieces, glad they ended their visit to the national capital on ice.
''It's gorgeous,'' she said. ''They have the same thing in Sydney in winter but the ice here is better because it's much colder.''
Entertainment will kick off tonight with the Stars on Ice show followed by an hour's skating session for showgoers. The professional skaters will perform every Friday and Saturday night. A different ice skating-themed movie will also be shown on Saturday nights, starting with Mighty Ducks.
''Cultural Sunday'' will see different countries celebrated, starting from tomorrow, with Canada and the United States. There will be demonstrations of ice hockey and cheerleading, a photo exhibition, polar bear face painting and bald eagle paper bag puppet making from 10am to 4pm.
Skate in the City continues until July 29. For bookings go to inthecitycanberra.com.au.