Ice, ice baby gets the Central Valley skating as local rinks open for season

Let it ice, let it ice, let it ice across the Central Valley.

Skaters in Modesto and Turlock laced them up this weekend as area ice rinks began their seasons. Turlock’s Fields of Ice opened Friday and downtown’s Modesto on Ice opened Saturday as public skating got underway at both rinks. The seasonal attractions have become huge draws, bringing tens of thousands of skaters out each year to glide and twirl across the ice.

Modesto on Ice began its second season downtown next to Modesto Centre Plaza. The 70-foot-by-120-foot covered outdoor rink saw first-time skaters, Disney princesses and familiar faces as it opened in the morning. During its inaugural season, the arena brought out more than 37,000 skaters to enjoy the city’s first public ice rink in 40 years. It will be open daily through Jan. 22.

For the rink’s second season, husband-and-wife co-owners Jerome and Andrea Murray have focused on bringing more people to downtown Modesto and offering skaters more options. The rink is partnering with other downtown businesses as part of DOMO Discount Days. Each Tuesday during the season will feature discounted skating until 5:30 p.m. Area restaurants will also offer discounts and other promotions as part of the Downtown Modesto Partnership Program.

“We really want to help keep people downtown. We want people to come down here and spend some money and enjoy themselves,” Murray said. “Let’s make Tuesdays the new Fridays downtown.”

First-time visitor Roy Valdovinos of Ceres brought his teenage daughter and two younger nieces to the rink. After noticing it last year, he said, he was happy the rink returned for his family to try.

“I wanted them to experience this. Downtown over there on the other side of the block is more for adults. So it’s good for them to have something for young people to do here besides the (movie) theater,” he said.

In Turlock, Fields of Ice has taken the competition in stride – or, more accurately, stroke. R.A.M. Farms owner Ron Macedo, who opened his outdoor rink in 2013, said business continues to boom. Last year, the 80-by-120-foot rink added a covering which goes over two-thirds of the rink, giving skaters an indoor-outdoor experience. Last year, some 32,000 skaters came through. The Turlock rink will be open this year through Jan. 16.

“I think people come and try both (rinks). We pull a lot of Turlock people and from Atwater, Livingston, Los Banos, and Modesto ones as well,” Macedo said. “There are a lot of people who want to skate. We’re helping to introduce more people to the sport and activity. It’s great.”

Both rinks also offer private parties and skating lessons. Modesto on Ice has added hockey lessons to its offerings this year and will host hockey pickup games as well.

Manteca resident Kim Brannon brought her 10-year-old daughter and her best friend to Modesto on Ice to celebrate the girls’ birthdays. This was their first trip to the rink, though in the past her family has gone to Tahoe for winter activities.

“It’s good to see them bring this stuff in this area. Now we don’t have to go as far to have the same experience,” she said. “We’ll definitely be back.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Ice, ice baby gets the Central Valley skating as local rinks open for season."