Published: August 22, 2008 10:40 pm      

Ice skating may come to downtown Edmond

EDMOND — A proposed ice skating rink at the Festival Market Place may create a Christmas season to remember for families and friends. The concept for a such an ice skating rink received unanimous support this week from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

The 3,200-square-foot ice rink would be about 40 feet wide and 80 feet long and would take five days to install, said Chad Khoury, president of Khoury Development. Skaters would enjoy the rink from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, starting Nov. 28 until Jan. 4.

“We’d like to do the grand opening for the rink in conjunction with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Festival and UCO’s Winter Glow,” Khoury said. Board member Harry Kocurek said the ice skating rink would compliment Dickens Weekend in downtown Edmond.

Hafer Park also had been considered for the temporary ice skating rink. However, Khoury said the Festival Market Place location was deemed best after discussing the matter with Mayor Dan O’Neil and Councilwoman Elizabeth Waner.

Khoury said the price for skating has not been determined but probably will be $6 for individuals bringing their own skates. Adults would pay $8 to rent skates, while students, children and seniors would pay $10.

“We’ve got a lot of publicity we’re looking to do. I think it would be great for Edmond,” Khoury said.

The ice skating rink would be managed by Ice Rink Events, a company in Brenham, Texas. “We’re the professional company who executes these events around the country,” said Mike Clayton, general manager.

He said the Edmond pavilion presents a market for success. Ice skating rinks are produced for downtown business communities to draw traffic and attention. Also, they bring families together during the holiday season, he said.

Khoury said he met with Karen Morton, president of the Downtown Edmond Business Association, and expects full support from the group.

“I just think it’s an awesome opportunity to have new faces in downtown,” Morton said on Friday. “We’re really positive about it.”

Three issues including financing, liability insurance and security would need to be worked out with the city, said Darrell Davis, park’s board chairman.



jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114