Debut nearing for Modesto ice rink
Downtown Modesto’s outdoor ice rink is just eight days away from making its public debut.
Modesto on Ice has been hard at work constructing the seasonal ice rink in the city parking lot at 11th and K streets, near Modesto Centre Plaza. The roughly 70-foot-by-120-foot rink is slated to be open every day Nov. 21 through Jan. 24 in its inaugural season. It has a sturdy tent over it in case Modesto gets a wet winter.
The official name is Modesto on Ice Presented by Modesto Subaru. The car dealer is the title sponsor. The rink has roughly 20 sponsors in all.
Jerome Murray and his wife, Andrea, and Troy Acor started Modesto on Ice. Jermone Murray and Acor also own Modesto-based Innovative Cooling Solutions, which reconditions and sells industrial refrigeration equipment to wineries, food processors, ice rinks and refrigerated warehouses.
Murray said he expects 40,000 skaters during the first season. That does not include the parents, grandparents and other family members and friends who come to watch the skaters. That could be a boon for downtown. Modesto has not had an ice rink since its last one – at Tully Road and Stoddard Avenue – burned down in 1976, according to Modesto Bee archives.
Modesto on Ice signed a four-year contract with the city for the use of the parking lot. Modesto on Ice upgraded the electrical system at Centre Plaza in exchange for the use of the lot. The contract says the upgrade cost $20,000, is owned by the city, and Centre Plaza can use it when it’s not used by the ice rink. The contract also says the city expects the ice rink to generate additional parking revenue for the city.
The ice rink includes bleachers and a party tent. Murray said 40 birthday parties already have been booked. He said Modesto on Ice has partnered with downtown restaurants – including Fuzio Universal Bistro, Greens and Commonwealth – to cater parties and special events in the tent. The rink also has a concession stand that will sell drinks and snacks.
More information, including the cost to skate and the rink’s schedule, is available at www.modestoonice.com.
This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Debut nearing for Modesto ice rink."