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Draft:Portland Winter Ice Rink

Coordinates: 45°31′06″N 122°40′21″W / 45.5184°N 122.6725°W / 45.5184; -122.6725
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Portland Winter Ice Rink
ConstructionIce-America
Area4,000–5,000 square feet
Address499 Southwest Naito Parkway
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Portland Winter Ice Rink is located in Portland, Oregon
Portland Winter Ice Rink
Portland Winter Ice Rink
Coordinates: 45°31′06″N 122°40′21″W / 45.5184°N 122.6725°W / 45.5184; -122.6725
Websitewintericerinkpdx.com

The Portland Winter Ice Rink is an ice rink, temporarily installed during winter months in Portland, Oregon, United States. Prosper Portland launched the project for the 2023–2024 season, and popular demand prompted the economic development organization to organize the rink again for the 2024–2025 season.

Description

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The covered ice rink is installed during winter months within the ramps at the western side of Portland's Morrison Bridge, near Southwest Naito Avenue between Morrison and Stark (also known as Harvey Milk) Streets. For the 2023–2024 winter season, the rink measured 80x50 feet and used approximately 600 gallons of water daily.[1] The base was made from two-by-four lumber, plywood, and steel scaffolding, and the tent above the rink is made of white canvas and steel. The adjacent pop-up marketplace Woodsy Winter Village has Christmas trees,[2] eateries, fire pits,[3] games, seating areas, and shops.[4][5] For the 2024–2025 winter season, the rink size was increased to 5,000 square feet and an observation deck was also added.[6] Temporary workers are hired to help run the rink each year.[7]

History

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2023–2024 winter season

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Mayor Ted Wheeler (pictured in 2018) attended the opening ceremony for the rink's 2023–2024 winter season.

The Portland Winter Ice Rink was launched by the economic development organization Prosper Portland in 2023, and was originally slated to operate daily from December 16 to January 28, 2024 (except on Christmas). Proposed Portland partnered with Portland Parks & Recreation and event producer Vida en Color on the project, and hired Ice-America to build the rink, which occupies a space that previously served as a parking lot.[2][4][8] Preparations took approximately two months. According to KOIN, the Portland Winter Ice Rink was the city's first outdoor skating rink in 24 years.[3] KATU said the Portland Winter Ice Rink was the city's first outdoor ice rink in more than 30 years, the previous one being at Pioneer Courthouse Square in 1989.[9] The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Ted Wheeler. The event also featured speakers and the mascots of the Portland Pickles, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Portland Winterhawks.[10]

Approximately 12,000 tickets for the first Portland Winter Ice Rink were sold during December 16–31, generating close to $228,800. Due to its popularity, the rink was extended through February 11, 2024, operating at the same time as the Portland Winter Light Festival.[11] The extension prompted a collaboration between the festival and organizers of the rink in the form of a light exhibit being added to the site.[12] Wheeler and city council commissioner Carmen Rubio skated at the rink in January 2024, appearing on Oregon Public Broadcasting's program Weekend Edition.[13] According to KGW, approximately 20,000 people visited the Portland Winter Ice Rink during the 2023–2024 winter season.[6] The rink was unable to operate during January 11, 2019 because of ice and snow. It cost approximately $450,000 to operate.[14]

2024–2025 winter season

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In October 2024, Prosper Portland announced plans to installed the rink at the same location from November 16 to January 5, 2025. Construction of the rink is planned to take place during November 4–15. Prosper Portland partnered with Vida en Color again. Ice-America hired between 25 and 35 people to build and maintain the rink.[15][16]

Reception

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In Portland Monthly's 2023 overview of ice skating options in the Portland metropolitan area, Margaret Seiler wrote, "We're impressed by the glam bathroom trailer, heat lamps, and board-game-stacked picnic tables tucked under the Morrison Bridge next to the tented rink, where the smells of hot chocolate and rotating food trucks like Tamale Boy are a big improvement over the stench of urine we noticed walking past the site before the rink opened." Seiler also opined:

... as is often the case at pop-up rinks, the size poses a problem. On our Christmas Eve visit it was too crowded to do a proper skating stride—wiggling, sculling, and baby stumbles are all there's really room for. The rink is so cramped that beginners are never far from the rail, but they might have an easier time learning on smoother ice, as the surface here is pretty rough. Unlike at regular rinks, skaters here have to sign a waiver and actively decline head protection—a hint that the free helmets at the skate counter might be worth borrowing.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Gallivan, Joseph (2023-12-27). "Pocket-size ice rink proves very popular in downtown Portland". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  2. ^ a b Acker, Lizzy (2023-12-15). "Downtown Portland outdoor ice rink opens Saturday". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  3. ^ a b Ogirri, Joyce (December 16, 2023). "Ice skaters flood new Portland outdoor rink". KOIN.
  4. ^ a b Salinas, Karla (2023-12-05). "Holiday ice skating rink to open in downtown Portland". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  5. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2023-12-08). "Portland Holiday Markets to Seek Out This Season". Eater Portland. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  6. ^ a b "Portland winter ice rink makes a return to the Rose City: 'Create holiday traditions'". KGW. 2024-11-04. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  7. ^ "Portland Winter Ice Rink looking for help through holiday season". KATU. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  8. ^ "Woodsy Winter Village, outdoor ice rink open in downtown Portland". KGW. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  9. ^ "Portland's Winter Ice Rink draws big crowds". KATU. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  10. ^ Graves, Mark. "Portland winter ice rink ribbon cutting 2023". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-12-17. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  11. ^ de Leon, Kristine (2024-01-19). "Portland extends outdoor winter ice rink into February". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  12. ^ Vondersmith, Jason (2024-01-19). "Portland's Winter Ice Rink and Winter Light Festival team up". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  13. ^ "Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Carmen Rubio hit the ice with OPB". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  14. ^ Gallivan, Joseph (January 22, 2024). "Downtown's pocket ice rink is staying to Feb. 11". Axios Portland. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Vondersmith, Jason (2024-10-11). "Portland Winter Ice Rink set to return for second season, Nov. 16-Jan. 5, 2025". PortlandTribune.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  16. ^ Pettigrew, Jashayla (October 11, 2024). "Downtown Portland's outdoor winter ice rink returning for second year". KOIN.
  17. ^ "Come Skating at These Portland-Area Ice Rinks". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
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