Ice rink to open today at City Center Bishop Ranch

SAN RAMON » The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink — the only outdoor ice skating rink in the Tri-Valley — will have its grand opening 5 p.m. today at City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road.

The ice rink will be open through Jan. 5.

East Bay native Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic gold medal winner in women’s figure skating, will kick off the event, accompanied by San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson and Alexander Mehran Jr., chief executive officer of Sunset Development Co., which owns Bishop Ranch.

“The East Bay is incredibly special to me,” Yamaguchi said in a written statement. “I’m proud and fortunate to call it my lifelong home, and to have been able to raise my children here. I’m excited for the opening of the ice rink at City Center Bishop Ranch.

“My hope is that it will help get the community into the holiday spirit while also raising awareness of Always Dream Foundation and our mission to fight child illiteracy.”

Today’s event will continue with a choreographed holiday skating performance titled “An Icy Christmas” by Polina Edmunds, the 2016 U.S. silver medal winner, with local skaters, including Yamaguchi’s daughter, Emma Hedican.

A portion of all ticket sales will benefit Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation, a local organization committed to inspiring underserved children to reach for their dreams through innovative reading programs, and to promoting the importance of early childhood literacy.

The grand opening at 5 p.m. is free. Regular admission prices to skate begin at 6 p.m.

The regular hours will last 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 11 a. m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays.

The ice rink will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and from noon to 9 p.m. Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The cost is $12 for a regular ticket for ages 6 and older and $10 for ages 5 and younger. Skate rentals cost $5, with an age minimum of 3.

Special skate rental rates are available on weekdays, and there are early- bird specials from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

For more information about hours and ticket prices, go to citycenterbishopranch.com/ice-rink.