Ice rink a possibility for Forum River Center
Sponsors would be needed to help defray the cost.
Thomas Kislat, marketing professional at the Forum River Center, dreams of bringing an ice rink to Rome. Kislat, a native of Germany, told members of the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau board this week that he’s seeking to bring a portable rink to the Forum River Center during the months of November and December.
Kislat’s bosses with Safari Hospitality, which manages the countyowned facility, are considering options for the rink and the type of events that it could be used for. Safari is also looking at the impact having a rink would have on other events in the building during that time frame.
“To make the idea work, the ice skating rink needs to be a community wide effort,” said Kislat. “The goal is to keep people here.” Kislat told the tourism board that he believes a large number of people go to Chattanooga or Atlanta to skate and shop leading up to the holidays.
He is seeking sponsorships as well as event partners to host a variety of winter and holiday activities at the Forum River Center.
The ice skating rink would also potentially host figure skating exhibitions and classes, hockey exhibitions, winter birthday parties, concerts and other events.He explained that one of the biggest cost factors involves the chillers needed to keep the ice cold, as well as a Zamboni machine to keep the ice smooth for skaters.
CVB member Harry Brock said he liked the idea but thought that an outdoor facility might be better, perhaps on the Town Green, to allow skaters to get the full experience of winter skating.
Kislat says the ice skating
rink would open on Thanksgiving and run into January for about 50 days. “It’s an opportunity to drive tourism during the winter months, as well as keep local dollars
in-town,” explained Kislat.
Kislat hopes to generate enough sponsorship to cover the cost of the rink and is seeking input from the community to convert
his dream into reality
For sponsor information contact Thomas Kislat at the Forum River Center at 470-269-5532 or by email at thomas@ forumrivercenter.com.