BENTONVILLE -- The ice at The Rink at Lawrence Plaza has melted. This time it was intentional as the rink closed for the season.
The season was extended two weekends this year after nine days were lost because of warm weather or heavy rain in December.
The Rink
The Rink at Lawrence Plaza opened at the corner of Northwest A and Blake streets in downtown Bentonville in 2010. It sits near the Razorback Greenway and is adjacent to 21c Museum Hotel. It will be converted into a splash park in May.
Source: Staff report
There were also a few half days where the rink was open then closed after temperatures reached the high 60s and melted part of the ice to the concrete beneath. Workers did their best to squeegee the water those days, but experienced skaters left wakes in the puddles when they turned.
Workers began to dismantle the rink Thursday. The chillers were turned off Monday, a day after 45 skaters turned out for the season's final day, according to Parks and Recreation numbers.
The rink traditionally stays open through the third Monday in January, but two long weekends were added this year.
There were 743 skaters from Jan. 21 to 24, with 447 coming Jan. 24, according to the department's report. The second extra weekend from Jan. 28 to 31 saw 234 people skate, with 106 people on Jan. 31.
The weather was beautiful Saturday, said David Wright, parks and recreation director. Yet, the 106 people averages to about 10 people per operational hour, which was from noon to 9 p.m.
"People were appreciative and very positive about us leaving the rink open a little bit longer," he said, later adding, "It's just that time of year to turn off the chillers."
More than 11,340 skaters enjoyed the outdoor rink this season, according to Emily Deal, city recreation specialist. That number includes private parties and skate lessons.
That's fewer than the 12,241 skaters in the 2014-15 season, but more than the 8,500 in 2013-14 season plagued by extreme winter weather that caused The Rink to close several days.
Revenue was $64,760 compared to last season's $52,723, according to officials.
The revenue increase can be attributed to more participation in skate lessons and private parties, Wright said. The number of people who took skate lessons jumped from 31 last year to 100 this year.
"We didn't necessarily lose money," Wright said of the days the rink was closed. "We missed an opportunity for revenue."
This season was the first time broomball was offered. It cost $5 to play and is a game played on shoes rather than skates.
"I'd say it was a success. Those who participated thoroughly enjoyed it," Deal said in an email. "We have a set of 24 broomball sticks, and we were sold out almost every Wednesday."
The Rink's first Frozen Skate-a-Long was also a success, Deal added. Nearly 200 participants skated to the music of Disney's Frozen and were taught a short routine to "Let It Go."
Many participants had never been to The Rink or took formal lessons previously, she said.
"It's a toss-up who had more fun that day, the kids or the parents watching," she said. "It was such a great way to introduce new skaters to ice skating."
The rink site will be a plaza until it's transformed into a splash pad for the warmer months.
The splash pad will open May 15. Officials say the plaza will be used by hundreds of bike riders as they finish the Square-to-Square ride there May 14. The ride will start on the Fayetteville square and conclude at Lawrence Plaza in Bentonville.
"Lawrence Plaza has really become part of the culture of our community," Wright said.
NW News on 02/05/2016