Synthetic ice rink set to open in downtown Green Bay

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Green Bay . Crews spent Tuesday afternoon putting the finishing touches on the newest addition to the CityDeck.

A 30x60 foot outdoor skating rink will offer outdoor enthusiasts another option to take advantage of the harsh Wisconsin winters. However, this rink is usable no matter what the temperature. It's synthetic ice. It's made out of polymer, or plastic. The manufacturer said it does skate a little slower, but it's every bit as fun as the real thing. Plus, it's more environmentally-friendly and less expensive to maintain.

"If you see a skater that has experience on this kind of surface you would not be able to tell standing on the side watching, whether he's on refrigerated ice or synthetic," Jimmy Durham, CEO of Ice Rink Engineering Manufacturing said.  

The rink's $75,000 price tag was donated by Ameriprise financial. It sits right behind Hagemeister Park.

Officials are hoping to attract more people to the downtown.

"We have this growing base of quality restaurants in the downtown," Jeff Mirkes, with Downtown Green Bay Inc. said. "Unique, specialty, authentic and locally owned and I think an amenity like this continues to build on that."

"I think it will definitely impact this downtown area," Jess Miller, with Hagemeister Park commented. "The Children's Museum, I think that people would come down here, go to The Children's Museum, hopefully come here for lunch and maybe do a little bit of skating."

The rink officially opens Saturday after the Holiday Parade. It costs only $2 to use the rink, and if you don't have skates, you can rent them for a $3.

Hours of operation starting November 17th are:

Monday through Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Mondays will be free admission.