LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Ice skating rink to provide old-fashioned fun

 Laredo, TX—Dec 9 ‘09—Thanks to the collaboration of Mayor Pro Tempore Mike Garza,

District II Council Member Hector Garcia, the City of Laredo, and UISD, Laredo children will

get to experience the thrill and nostalgia of celebrating Christmas the old fashioned way, on ice!

 From Friday, December 18, 2009, starting at 12 noon to 10 PM and on Saturday, December 19,

2009, from 10 AM to 10 PM, the western side of the United I.S.D. Student Activity Complex

parking lot will be transformed into a winter wonderland for children of all ages, to be able to

experience the joy of ice skating – all for free!

 “We really wanted to create a winter festival atmosphere, and to provide something fun, and

most importantly, free activity for the kids to enjoy once they went on Christmas vacation,” said

Garcia, who, along with Garza, is helping to sponsor and organize the skating rink. 

 “Of course, without the assistance of UISD, this event would not be possible,” added Garza.

“Aside from having a facility large enough to host the skating rink and all the related activities,

 we wanted to have this event at a location easily accessible for families from both north and

south Laredo, and everywhere in between.” 

 “This ice skating rink is going to be such a wonderful opportunity for all of our students to truly

experience old fashioned Christmas fun, something that many of us adults have never had the

chance to experience,” said UISD Superintendent Bobby Santos.  “I am so happy that UISD is

working in conjunction with the City of Laredo to bring such a magical event to our community.

I hope that students from throughout Laredo come out and enjoy this great event,” he concluded.

 The ice skating rink is actually a synthetic hybrid ice ^® rink, brought to Laredo by bh skating

parks International, a company that specializes in preparing the ice skating rink around the

world.  According to the bhsp website, “Synthetic ice creates the perfect hybrid-ice^® surface,

bringing together the fun of skating with the affordability of an energy-save product.  Without

the need for expensive refrigeration units, generators, or electricity and made from a recyclable

polymer compound, our rinks are the eco-friendly low cost alternative to real ice.”

 Because of the materials used in creating the ice rink, this surface will be ideal for young, fearful

or beginner skaters.  A non-toxic, glide enhancer liquid sprayed on the surface reduces the

friction created by the blade.  The rink will feel a bit slower than skating on typical refrigerated

ice, creating the sensation of skating on an actual frozen pond. 

 The company will bring about 75 pairs of ice skates, with a range of skate sizes from Youth 6

through Adult 14; however, only a maximum of about 40 skaters at a time will be allowed on the

ice at one time, for 30 minute intervals.  Individuals can bring their own ice skates (where can

you get a pair in Laredo?); however, they will be inspected to make sure the blade is sharp

enough to glide on the surface.

 Basic safety rules will apply, such as skaters under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an

adult of 18 years or older and no one under the age of 5 will be permitted to skate.  No horse

play, rough skating or hocky will be allowed, and no food or beverages will be allowed on the

skating surface.  Other rules will be supplied at the skate rink, as well.

 “It seems like there are a lot of rules to the skating rink, but of course, we really only want to

make sure that kids really enjoy ice skating safely, without any injuries,” added Garcia.

 The rink itself will be set-up on Thursday, December 17, 2009 and will take several hours to be

put together.  Once completed, the ice skating rink area will include the rink floor and borders,

skate change area including mats and benches and a PA system playing everyone’s favorite

Christmas tunes.

Of course, aside from the thrill of the ice skating rink, organizers hope that all additional

activities taking place while skaters are on the ice will give that Rockefeller Center Christmas

feel.  School or church groups, choirs, and others musical or dance groups are invited to perform

on either day during the festival.  Simply contact Donna Magnon, in the City Secretary’s Office

at 791-7313 or via e-mail at dmagnon@ci.laredo.tx.us to reserve your spot. 

 And all those skaters will mean a lot of hungry and thirsty kids and families, so any food vendor,

Student organization or non-profit agency who would like to sell their wares should sign up by

Calling the Civic Center staff at 794-1700.  Finally, any non-profit or service agency who would

 like to provide free, helpful information to the community, also call the Civic Center to sign up.

If that weren’t enough, organizers will feature hay rides, a Christmas carol singing contest on

Friday and a pozole cook-off on Saturday. Check back for more information, as the details are

being finalized for that event.