Valpo Parks is happy to announce that the Central Park Plaza Ice Rink will open to the public for the 2016-2017 season on November 14 at 6 p.m. Over the next two weeks the park staff will transform the 12,000-square-foot William E. Urschel Pavilion into the center of cold weather fun in downtown Valparaiso.
“Last year was our inaugural season of ice skating at pavilion, we served over 50,000 skaters of all ages,” said Valpo Parks Director John Seibert. “We look forward to having even more families and individuals skating with us this year.” In addition to open skate, the rink will once again offer ice skating and learn to play hockey lessons, open hockey time, and rink rental for private events, fundraisers and birthday parties.
“We know the weather has been nice,” said Central Park Plaza Facility Manager Dan McGuire, “But we want to remind people that it is not too soon to think ice and register for skate lessons and book their parties.” Nine miles of refrigerated piping under the ice surface and a roof-covered rink assures Valpo skaters of a full season of skating from November 14 through March 5, 2017. A complete list of hours, fees, programs and specialty nights can be found online at CentralParkPlazaValpo.com or in the Central Park Plaza Winter Recreation Guide available at the Valpo Parks office.
In anticipation of the skating season, the Valpo Parks Foundation is hosting a VIP night on November 12, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the ice rink. The annual fundraiser, Party in the Park, invites guests to take to the ice after the evening’s entertainment and the “Fire and Ice” hockey scrimmage featuring local police versus local fireman. Food and warm beverages are served as guests enjoy a sneak peak of the new season’s ice. Reservations for Party in the Park at $80 per person are available online at ValpoParksFoundation.org or by calling 462.5144.
The Central Park Plaza Ice Rink is located at 55 Napoleon Street, Valparaiso. For more information or to register for lessons, contact the Valpo Parks office at 219.462.5144 or visit the Parks office at 3210 N. Campbell St.
