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While winter may be far from our minds as everyone is out enjoying the warm summer weather, the City of Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation department is hard at work planning Oly on Ice, presented by Olympia Auto Mall.

Olympia Isthmus Park sign Ice Rink
The newly opened Isthmus Park in downtown Olympia is an interim use park to be used for various public purposes. It’s been landscaped with crushed marble, and decorated with public art and benches. Photo credit: Stephani Hemness

This seasonal, outdoor ice skating rink is set to open in mid-November and run into the first weekend in January. The project is currently under development and preparations are being made at the Isthmus Park downtown, across from Capitol Lake between 4th and 5th Avenues.

The idea for an ice rink grew from the department’s desire to utilize the new park space in a way that benefits the community and brings people downtown. “We have this great spot that looks up at the capital building.” says Anna Robinson, marketing program specialist for the department. “We host Arts Walk in Spring and Fall and then there’s a big gap, so this is a great way for our community to come together and to participate in outdoor recreation that’s seasonal and makes sense for that time of year.”

At 100 feet long by 40 feet wide, the sheltered rink will be able to host up to 125 skaters at a time, and will be managed by Ice Rink Events, a professional company that produces and manages rinks throughout the country.

“It’s exciting to bring another activity to the community,” says Paul Simmons, director of the Parks, Arts & Recreation department. “Also activating a space that otherwise wouldn’t be very active. We have Lake Fair during the summer, and six months later we’ll have an ice rink.” he continues. “It’s a neat opportunity to get people outside and build community, and hopefully build new holiday traditions for families.”

Oly on Ice
The Oly on Ice rink will overlook the Capitol Building from the Isthmus Park in downtown Olympia. Photo courtesy: City of Olympia

With a moderate sized rink planned, the idea is to leave enough room for additional seating and vendor booths. Currently, a team has begun organizing future programming projects for the rink, such as themed events, ice-related recreational activities, food trucks, and live music.

Though the rink will not be up until later in the year, the park itself is newly open to the public. It is designated as an interim use park, which means the space has been developed by the city and can be used for various public purposes. With a bike shelter, benches, grassy and landscaped spaces, public art, 20 dedicated parking stalls, and a crushed marble open space area similar to what is found around the Heritage Park Fountain, the Isthmus Park is a great, useable outdoor space.

Three years ago, Olympia citizens voted to pass a metropolitan parks initiative, which has since helped to expand the city’s parks department and programming. “I really see this as an expansion of our services.” adds Paul. “I think this ice rink is another one of those benefits of that ballot measure.”

Current planning partners for the rink include Olympia Downtown Alliance, Thurston Economic Development Council, and Experience Olympia. But the city is still recruiting program and monetary sponsors at various commitment levels for the project. Financial sponsorships will help to offset operating expenses and keep the admission costs down for guests.

Without the financial support of partners like the Olympia Auto Mall, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network, Propel Construction Company, and TwinStar Credit Union, Oly on Ice would not be possible. “The Olympia Auto Mall Dealers Association is excited to partner with the City of Olympia in bringing a fun, family friendly venue this winter to downtown Olympia.” says Vince Hanson, president of the Association. “The importance of supporting the community is a core value to the participating dealers. Behind these big name brands are franchise owners that live and work right here in Olympia and we all truly have an interest in supporting our community. ”

Olympia Isthmus Park Oly on Ice
The Oly on Ice sign entices residents of what’s to come, a 4,000 square foot outdoor ice rink for the holiday season. Photo credit: Stephani Hemness

There are a variety of sponsorship levels that are accessible to organizations and businesses of all sizes. The Daily Sponsor level is a great opportunity for local businesses to have a presence at the rink for things like holiday pop-up shops. In additional to financial sponsorships, if local agencies or businesses are interested in bringing in a night of programming to the rink, those opportunities are available. Interested partners can contact Anna at arobinso@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Once sponsor partnerships and programming have all been established, the final step will be formalizing the logistics and loading in the actual rink. And before we know it, the winter holidays will be back, this time with lots of fun at Oly on Ice.

For more updates on the project, visit the Oly on Ice website.

The Isthmus Park is located at 529 4th Avenue West, Olympia.

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