Paducah on ice

The Western Kentucky region has many entertainment opportunities: RSEC events, movie theaters, quaint restaurants and now an ice skating rink.

The Paducah Ice Rink opens today in downtown Paducah, Ky., at 121 Jefferson St. in the Farmer's Market parking lot. It is the only attraction like it, with the nearest rinks in Owensboro, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., according to the Web site paducahky.gov.

Mark Thompson, parks services director, said he received a flier about the outdoor rink opening in Owensboro and decided to investigate it as a prospective opportunity for the Paducah area. He spoke to Steve Doolittle, executive director of Paducah's Renaissance Alliance: LowerTown and Downtown, about the possibility of opening a similar, temporary ice-skating rink.

Both enlisted the help of their 11-year-old daughters to test Owensboro's rink and concluded it would be beneficial to open an outdoor rink for the holiday season.

From there, Thompson presented his idea to city officials, who agreed with Thompson's ideas and allowed him to continue with the plans. Thompson said he put prospective companies through the bid process - a process in which the company offering the best bid gets the job. Magic Ice USA, Inc., of Miami, Fla., won the bidding war and on Nov. 6 started preparations for making the ice skating rink.

"Coils underneath chill to about five degrees Fahrenheit," Thompson said.

He said the 120-feet by 50-feet oval-shaped rink sits on a sand base and water is sprayed over the base and freezes. Once this water is frozen, another layer of water is sprayed on top and freezes. This process is repeated until at least three inches of ice is built up. This amount allots room for any melting due to warming since western Kentucky weather is somewhat unpredictable.

Thompson said the majority of the money for the rink has come from city funds. The city of Paducah allotted up to $125,000 for the construction, opening and maintenance of the rink. Also, Thompson said some funds have come from private sponsorships.

While money is a problem for many families this holiday season, Thompson said he and other officials wanted to keep the prices reasonable so people from all economic statuses could take advantage of this new attraction.

"We want to bring a lot of people to downtown Paducah," said Thompson.

General admission for adults and children is $5 and includes skates. Mondays are designated Dollar Days with $1 admission and skate fees for two-hour sessions.

Besides skating, people can enjoy the concessions stand, which will offer a variety of foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs and hot chocolate.

Amie Clark, recreations specialist for Paducah Parks, said they are still hiring for the staff. Needed are skate guards and mangers. For more information and an application, contact People Plus at 270-442-JOBS.

If you go: • Open today through Jan. 4. • Hours of operation are 4:30 - 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Wednesdays when the rink is open from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. • Open Saturday 2 - 10 p.m. • Open Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.

Mondays are  Dollar Days with $1 to skate  during any session:?     4:30 - 6:30 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m.

Extended Hours During Holiday Break?(Dec. 22 to Jan. 4): • Noon - 10 p.m. Monday through Friday except Wednesdays which is open 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. • Open Saturday 2 - 10 p.m. and Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.     

Laura Cash can be reached at laura.cash@murraystate.edu.