Community Corner
"Walnut Creek On Ice" Finishes Up Skating Season
Ice skating season was filled with winter weather and happy skaters on its final weekend
When Walnut Creek On Ice opened their rink downtown for the 7th season r, they probably wouldn't have predicted that Walnut Creek would experience one of its driest winters in recent decades.
But in the world of outdoor ice skating, sunny skies are definitely a good thing.
Walnut Creek On Ice was set to close down their rink last weekend, but organizers decided the community would enjoy another week of skating in Civic Park.
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“We extended an extra week because of the success that we’ve had this season and give people another opportunity to come out and skate,” said Emery Lykins, a Walnut Creek On Ice operator.
Walnut Creek On Ice has seen a “modest increase” in skaters this season and benefited from good reviews on the new, larger rink and optimal weather conditions.
Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Darcy Ferrero and her 9-year-old daughter were out skating for probably their final time this season. Ferrero bought her daughter a season pass, but it still has three “skates” left, so they were disappointed to realize they won’t be able to redeem all the "skates" they initinally paid for.
“I really think that they should have this year-round in Walnut Creek,” said Ferrero. “It’s a great place for kids to hang out, have hot cocoa and skate.
“Walnut Creek as a community needs this because there isn’t much for teens to do in Walnut Creek.”
She went on to explain that skating is a much better option than loitering downtown and causing problems for shoppers and storekeepers. Additionally, the closest ice rink is located in Dublin, which is too far of a drive for most.
Walnut Creek Patch asked a Walnut Creek On Ice representative about the proposition of a year-round rink. They responded by saying they’d love to stay longer in Walnut Creek, but energy costs and the rinks’ neighbors will prevent them from doing that.
However, they said that some ideas have been looked at for a permanent ice rink in Walnut Creek. Those ideas are not any time in the near future.
The ice rink will officially close tomorrow evening, after an open skate session from noon to 8 p.m. They are also open tonight until 11 p.m.
