Thursday, July 19, 2023–12:48 p.m.
-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-
The ice staking rink initially planned for Bridgepoint Plaza this fall will be located in front of the stage at Ridge Ferry Park instead.
The 60-foot by 100-foot rink will be housed under a giant aluminum tent, similar to one that has been in Canton over the last five years.
“We’re calling it Rink on the River,’’ said Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Director Todd Wofford. “The operators of the rink just felt Ridge Ferry Park was a better location.”
The rink is expected to open on Nov. 24 — which is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving — and remain open until Monday, Jan. 15, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
It will be open seven days a week, and hours will be determined soon.
Wofford said they are still looking for some sponsors, and he has also been working with Jay Shell, newly hired promotions coordinator of the nascent agricultural center, to identify corporate partners.
According to Wofford, around $50,000 in sponsorships needs to be generated for the skating rink. He stated previously that he had $25,000 in verbal commitments, so he believes that is an attainable goal.
Rome and Floyd County’s last venture into ice skating was the Forum on Ice, which ran during the holidays from 2018 to 2020 at the Forum River Center.
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com.