A Rink in Riverfront

It’s not uncommon to hear youth and teens complaining of having nothing to do and nowhere to go in Spokane on a weekend. With winter on its way and Riverfront Park gearing up, the Lilac City has a new hang out place that’s quickly gaining popularity with youth. So whether you’re with a group of friends looking for something to do or trying to figure out where to take your next date, the Ice Palace can provide a fun atmosphere that will guarantee you’ll have a good time.

To convert the summer attractions into an ice rink, a refrigeration system comprised of compressors and built-in piping is used. “It’s just like any other indoor rink,” said Craig Butz, division manager of recreation and entertainment service. “It’s based on extracting heat out of the cement.”

Once the temperature of the cement is reduced to below freezing, the surface is sprayed with fine layers of ice. Then latex paint and other biodegradable mixtures are used to paint the surface white after which more layers are added, followed by the hockey lines and more layers. “We just keep on building layers upon layers of ice until it’s a skate-able surface,” said Butz.

According to him, “you never want [ice] over two inches in any one location.” Maintenance of the ice isn’t too challenging with most of the costs going into the gas used to run the Zamboni and the labor of workers, who usually share a few responsibilities.

“On a traditional weekend or holiday we try to [Zamboni the ice] every hour,” said Butz. And depending on how good the driver is, the process can take 20 to 25 minutes, but the goal time is 15.

The Palace is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and also reopens Monday through Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays 7 to 10 p.m.

To get in, skaters 13 years and older pay $4.15, while kids under 12, seniors (62 and over) and military get in for $3.15 any day or night. Hockey and figure skates are available for rent for $3.00 as well. If trying to save a few bucks, check out the park’s discount nights where Mondays (7 to 8:30 p.m.) are AAA coupon nights, Tuesdays
(7 to 8:30 p.m.) are $2.00 nights, Wednesdays (7 to 8:30 p.m.) are free admission for anyone with a college ID, Thursdays (7 to 8:30 p.m.) are Inlander Appreciation Nights (coupons needed), and Sundays parents skate free between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

On weekdays between 12 and 2 p.m., skaters can get in and rent skates all for $4.25, as well as participate in a 30-minute exercise (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) for $3.00, including rentals, and don’t forget the Palace’s school’s out special where skaters 17 and under get in for $4.25 (with rental) between 2 and 5 p.m.

Along with day passes priced from $12.99 to $17.00 depending on options chosen, season passes at $39.99 are also available for avid skaters, but since skate rentals are not

included in the price, buying skates might be the way to go. Eagles Ice-A-Rena, Hockey Armor and Sports Authority are the best bets to find decent skates in Spokane for a respectable price.

Skating and hockey lessons are also provided by the Ice Palace for those willing to get some courage and step out on the ice. The first session started Nov. 8 and will go until Dec. 13 (participants are still being accepted) and the second will start on Jan. 10 and go to Feb. 14, 2009. All lessons last 45 minutes, starting at 9:15 and 10 a.m., and cost $59 without the season pass discount. Age is not a factor when it comes to lessons, it’s all based on ability, according to Butz.

Lessons for tots and parents will be held from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9 and Jan. 13 to Feb. 10, 10 to 11 a.m. for $39. If learning hockey, skaters must have their own equipment, like helmets, gloves, mouth guards, shin pads and hockey sticks; when learning to skate, helmets are highly recommended.

The entire rink is also available for rent in between public skating hours. According to Butz, it’s usually used for hockey, figure skating competitions and business parties. But anyone willing to pay the $170 per hour price is able to buy out the rink for a few hours.

Riverfront Park first put up the ice rink 31 years ago and while the business hasn’t always been great, it’s one of the few still around. Butz said that about four years ago there were three other rinks in Spokane and the attendance numbers were definitely low and the park was actually losing money.

“We usually don’t see an increase of skaters until after Veteran’s Day,” Butz said of attendance numbers. Holidays definitely bring in the peak numbers of visitors, somewhat due to mountains and passes being closed, leaving the winter sports junkies with limited options. “The winter break is our big time,” said Butz.

Numbers of hockey games played at the Ice Palace vary from year to year because “we’re not the prime rink in town to offer a lot of hockey games; we’re more of a practice facility,” said Butz referring to the lack of proper locker rooms and showers. When it comes to practice Butz said there are about four or five practices held there every week.

While the ice rink is the main attraction, the Pavilion has a game room, mini golf, food court and the IMAX to offer the crowd. It’s been three years since the concessions and skate rentals moved into the larger facility to offer more space and comfort to their visitors.

During the short breaks when the ice is getting resurfaced, skaters can go inside and warm up with a hot beverage or grab a bite to eat. Concessions offer the classics like hot dogs, chicken strips and pizza, along with grilled dishes, hot cocoa and ice cream all ranging from $1 to $6.

Whether it’s with games, trivia contests, music or simply changing the direction of skating, “we try to change it up every 15 minutes,” said Butz. “It’s more fun and entertainment for the non-skaters as well as the skaters.”

Drop-in hockey is also played at the Ice Palace, which allows those who love the game, but don’t have a team, to participate and enjoy themselves as long as they’re 18 or older. It takes $6 to enter and games are held Thursdays from 8:45 to 10:00 p.m.

Butz said between the Loof Carousel, SkyRide, the Ice Palace, the IMAX and the Pavilion, “there’s something to do for everyone.”

The season ends on March 1, 2009, so get your skates and see what Spokane has to offer.

Story by Alina Shanin.