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STORYLINE Happenings around Sacramento

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With the stormy weather happening, it's feeling like fall. And what comes after fall?

WINTER! Which means ice skating.

Construction is happening now on the new Westfield Downtown Plaza Ice Rink – Sacramento’s original outdoor ice rink.

A worker holds a section of the plastic pipes ~~which will carry the freon~~ that keeps the ice fozen as, ...well, ice!

“We’re thrilled to welcome back the ice rink to the heart of Downtown and celebrate 19 years of holiday magic,” said DSP Executive Director Michael Ault. “It’s amazing how quickly we can transform a public park into an icy wonderland. We should be making ice by this coming weekend.”

Crews position the ~~freon-carrying~~ tubes so they line up correctly under the 7,000 square foot rink (above and below).

The rink re-opens Nov. 5 at noon with a ribbon cutting ceremony and free admission for skaters. A dazzling light display will create a winter wonderland feel. According to Lisa Martinez, Downtown Sac Partnership, "every Tuesday the rink will host a family skate night where kids skate free with a paid adult admission. Downtown employees receive a free skate rental every Wednesday courtesy of the Westfield Downtown Plaza. The rink is also offering Saturday ice skating lessons on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m."

The rink will be open daily through January 17. Regular admission to the ice rink is $8 for a two-hour session and $2 for skate rental. It is located at located at 7th & K streets in Downtown Sacramento near Westfield Shopping Plaza.

Folks can follow the ice rink action and find deals at http://www.downtownsac.org/icerink

Find the rink on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/downtownsac.org

Follow on Twitter: http://@DowntownIceRInk

Catch video clips of the rink under construction: http://www.youtube.com/DowntownSac95814

The event is sponsored by the Westfield Downtown Plaza as well as The Hines Company, CIM Group, Trane, Made in the Shade and CBS 13 and CW 31.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

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Conversation Express your views, debate, and be heard with those in your area closest to the issue.

Ellen Hancock

October 24, 2010 | 6:17 PM

Sounds like fun :)

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Lisa Martinez

October 25, 2010 | 9:25 AM

Great photos Kati. By the way, the rink doesn't use freon but a different coolant.

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Casey Kirk

October 25, 2010 | 12:32 PM

Thanks for letting us know, Lisa!

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Kati Garner

October 25, 2010 | 9:41 AM

Sorry, I goofed on that point.

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Tyler Waaler

October 25, 2010 | 10:20 AM

it's a shame it won't be in Midtown again this year.

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Mark

October 26, 2010 | 9:09 AM

The Midtown ice rink was way better than the downtown one. Oh and by the way it's not in that dead Worstfield mall anyway- it across the street, surrounded by boarded-up storefronts that reek of urine. Happy skating Sacramento.

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softtop1

December 3, 2010 | 2:25 PM

I echo that sentiment. It was bad enough hard rock cafe left and took their giant guitar but now Westfield was too cheap to even put up a Christmas tree. Bring the ice rink back to midtown where it will be appreciated and more profitable.

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SolarBozo

October 26, 2010 | 10:01 AM

Exactly what coolant does it use?

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SolarBozo

October 26, 2010 | 10:03 AM

Markes, that skating rink adds a lot to that area. I have never skated it, but have enjoyed watching the families and kids having a great time.

Also, the family that sells tamales there has the best around. We bought them by the dozen, and took them home and froze them.

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Mark

October 26, 2010 | 3:27 PM

I hate to be so cynical but in Sacramento it's just way too easy. Saying that it adds to the area is not saying a whole lot. No effort was ever made to make the downtown rink special. The Midtown rink was just classier- you could grab a cup of hot whatever and watch the skaters from the deck of the MARRS building and the big trees with tiny lights made it way more charming than the downtown one, tamale vendors aside. I saw lots of families and kids having a great time last year in Midtown. Maybe next year the yahoos will get a clue and move it back but I doubt it.

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Megan Emmerling

October 27, 2010 | 9:09 AM

Markes, I'm the marketing manger with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. I think you'll be pleased at all we're doing to make the rink extra special this year. We have 5 strands of market lighting spanning across the ice, and all of the big gorgeous trees surrounding the rink will be decked with twinkle lights. Our goal is really to make the rink feel holiday special and warm and cozy. We have an on site vendor who will be selling coffee and hot chocolate along with popcorn, hot dogs, and other yummy snacks. We've ordered all new tables and benches this year for extra seating so parents can sit and drink warm coffee while they watch their kids skate.

I hope you can come by on our Grand Opening Day on November 5th when we have free skating all day long for the community. I encourage you to check it out, take in all of the changes, and hopefully it will give you a fresh perspective on the Downtown Ice Rink. We look forward to seeing you!

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Karl Alexander