‘UKIAH ON ICE’ RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN
Ice skating rink attracts more than 10,000 skaters per year
Two days before “Ukiah on Ice” was set to open to the community, the skating rink was devoid of two fundamental components: ice and skates. It wasn’t until 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, less than 24 hours before opening, that skates finally arrived and the ice was properly frozen.
Despite the urgent sprint leading up to opening night, the City of Ukiah Recreation Department was ready for skaters to step on the ice on Dec. 4. The rink will remain open until Jan. 8.
This is the fifth year that the ice skating rink has been set up in downtown Ukiah, and the fourth year that it has been fully operated by the Recreation Department. Since offering the
rink to the community in 2016, the city has received an overwhelmingly positive response.
“I think that the community
likes diversity,” says Daniel Spence, Seasonal Program Coordinator for the Recreation Department. “We always end our seasons with people wanting more.”
With losing both the roller rink and bowling alley in recent years, the variety of family activities in Ukiah continues to decline. The Recreation Department has seen the demand for seasonal pop-ups rise—the ice skating rink alone brings over 10,000 skaters per year.
The construction of the ice rink resembles the process of building a house, according to Recreation Supervisor Jake Burgess. It starts with a sandbox, a fence and a chiller that gets plugged into the Tesla charging station. From there, the tubing is placed in the rink and water is gradually added until the ice begins to form.
“It usually takes two weeks start to finish with the ice, but
we did it in one week,” Spence says. Due to his experience working with the rink for the past four years, Spence maintains the ice during daily operations and makes sure that it doesn’t become too brittle or warm.
In addition to taking care of the ice, Spence also oversees the field trips that visit the rink. While school is in session, classes from Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Willits and Lake County are scheduled every day.
“Pretty much every school in Mendocino County,” Spence says. “It really just shows that there’s a demand for these activities.”
After the morning field trips, the ice rink then opens for public skating. There is a full concession stand available to skaters, with snacks and warm treats like hot chocolate.
On select nights in December, “Ukiah on Ice” is also hosting themed skating events—including Super Hero Night, 80’s Night and Couple’s Night on Dec. 17, 18 and 19. As one of their most popular nights in years past was “Harry Potter Night,” the community is invited to participate in the event once again on Dec. 26.
This year, the Recreation Department is striving to serve different groups in the community with each respective theme. Spence suggested that the rink host a “Sensory Night” on Dec. 20 where the music
and lights will be turned down to create a more mellow atmosphere, to accommodate those who are more sensitive.
“No changing lights, therefore people can feel welcomed into this thing that the city is trying to provide to everyone,” Spence says.
While Spence supervises the ice, Burgess’ role involves lining up sponsors for the rink. With the pandemic preventing the city from running the rink in 2020, support has been pouring in from the community for “Ukiah on Ice” this year.
“These sponsors all came to us,” Burgess says. “It’s an attraction that brings people to downtown Ukiah.”
Adventist Health remains the leading sponsor for the ice rink, with the Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance being another community partner that has been instrumental in bringing back the rink.
“Over the years since I’ve been doing it, I’ve really gotten to see a shift in our community. We started out as a community brand new to ice rinks and very, very few were comfortable ice skating,” Burgess says.
He recalls watching school kids on field trips travel unsteadily around the rink, clutching the side rail and trying to stay upright on their skates.
He adds, “Now that we’ve been going for multiple years, we have kids
who step right onto the rink and they’re comfortable. That’s a huge thing that our community should be proud of.”
Even so, the ice skating rink continues to attract more community residents. On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, Eryn Schon-brunner—local dance instructor at Mendocino College—and her family are visiting the rink for the first time.
“I haven’t ice skated in 20 years,” Schon-brunner says. “We came last Friday and it was their first time skating ever. We loved it so much.”
In all of California, there are only around 25 seasonal pop-up rinks. To build, maintain and offer “Ukiah on Ice” to the Mendocino County community is a
unique feat that has given thousands of community residents the chance to experience both the trepidation and joy of ice skating.
In accordance with county ordinances regarding
outdoor activities, skaters are not required to wear masks. For more information about “Ukiah on Ice,” call 707-463-6231 or visit www.cityofukiah.com/ ukiah-on-ice.