CitySkate, a temporary holiday ice rink at Cityscape in downtown Phoenix hosts friends, couples and families who enjoy the temporary outdoor rink to the sound of holiday music. (Photo by Ana Ramirez)Ice is a rare sight in downtown Phoenix, and crowds are flocking to CityScape’s ice rink to show off their skating skills before it melts.
Ice rink supervisor Matt Hustav said CityScape doubled the rink this year because it has been a major attraction. CityScape, located off of Washington Street between First and Central avenues, has hosted CitySkate for three years.
“It just keeps growing and growing,” he said.
The rink’s expanded size pushed it out of the middle of the shopping center, where it is typically built, and into the street.
Hustav said at least 1,000 people filter through the rink on weekends.
The rink is open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The cost of admission is $12, including skate rental.
Downtown campus events and administration program coordinator Keith Chandler planned an event for students and staff to skate at the CityScape rink on Saturday night.
He said in an email that he wanted to show off what fun events are going on in downtown Phoenix.
“Whether it is inside or outside the box, there is always something going on downtown,” he said. “Ice skating was the perfect event to have during the holiday season.”
Chandler said he thought this weekend was the perfect time to push students to get out to the rink.
“With final exams right around the corner, it is a cool escape that is not too far away from campus,” he said.
Chandler said it’s a new experience for Arizona or Southwest natives to ice skate on real ice outdoors.
“Being from the Midwest, it reminds me a little of home,” he said.
Business management and entrepreneurship sophomore Michelle Van Matre made the trip from Tempe to skate on Saturday night.
Van Matre said she works downtown giving tours of the city. She said she suggests people visit the ice rink during the holiday season.
Van Matre is from Colorado and isn’t used to warm Christmases. She enjoys seeing Phoenix’s holiday spirit.
“It’s just kind of weird that there is ice in Phoenix in the middle of the dessert,” she said. “It’s so unique.”
Reach the reporter at hblawren@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @hannah_lawr
