> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # New outdoor skating rink is getting holiday love from community - URL: https://www.smdp.com/new-outdoor-skating-rink-is-getting-holiday-love-from-community/ - Published: 2007-12-06T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T04:13:55.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Events, Downtown, #archive-import *Skating rink breaks the ice* DOWNTOWN The new ice skating rink at the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue is hot, hot, hot. Thousands of people have laced up their skates and hit the ice since the rink, known as “Ice at Santa Monica,” opened a little over two weeks ago, said Kathleen Rawson, executive director of the Bayside District Corp., which is sponsoring the rink along with City Hall, Starbucks and Holiday Inn Santa Monica. “We’ve been completely inundated by positive comments about the rink and we’ve had over 5,000 people and schools aren’t even on break yet,” said Rawson, whose staff of six people organized the rink in less than two months time. “We feel like it’s a success.” The rink costs around $225,000 to operate, and if the crowds continue to come, Rawson believes the venture will pay for itself, and may even turn a profit. “The idea was to make the pricing of the skating affordable to as many people as possible, so we priced the skating very reasonably at $10 per person, and that includes the skates,” Rawson said. Crowds are only expected to get larger after today’s official grand opening at 1:30 p.m., which will feature Olympic silver medalist and 2006 National Figure Skating Champion Sasha Cohen, who will perform a one-song routine. U.S. Champion and World Bronze medalist Evan Lysacek will also make a special appearance. Starbucks will be hosting children from one of its local community partners, P.S. ARTS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping arts and music education in Title I Los Angeles schools. The coffee giant will also be giving away free samples periodically. Those who would like something other than coffee can get food and drinks at the concessions stand, run by Gay Santa Barbara, a non-profit working to foster acceptance and the encouragement of gay-friendly social and business practices. Rawson said she looked for local nonprofits to run the concessions but could not find any with the proper permits in the short time available before the launch. Gay Santa Barbara was recommended by local mental health provider Step Up on Second. The group already had permits in place and a means of serving food and drinks. “We were really just focused on getting the rink up and running,” Rawson said. “Concessions was not the priority, but we wanted to provide people with something.” Judging from the large number of skaters gathered at the rink on Wednesday afternoon, it seems the rink is a big draw for families looking to get into the holiday spirit. There were mothers and fathers holding their children’s hands, guiding them around the rink, picking them up and brushing their bottoms when they slipped and fell. Grandparents watched from the rink’s edge, snapping pictures and waving as their loved ones went by. Seated just outside the rink, Duncan Burns was enjoying some chocolates while his children, Analisa and Duncan, and their friend Amanda Padilla, waited for the Zamboni to clean the ice. Each had a large smile on their faces as they talked about all the fun they were having skating. “To me, the rink is just another example of how Santa Monica is a wonderful, thoughtful place,” said the eldest Burns. “The price is amazing and it’s just a great place. I don’t want to advertise it too much or people will flock to it.” Padilla said she learned how to skate at the rink and wants to come back as often as she can before the rink closes on Jan. 6. “It’s really fun,” she said. “I like when they clean the ice. It makes it easier to skate on.” Tanya Schenk and her twin 8-year-old sons, Christian and Hans, were also at the rink Wednesday enjoying a few laps on the ice. The two boys were just learning how to skate and found the rink to be a great place to practice. “We’re getting the hang of it,” Hans said. “It’s really cool to skate outside.” Tanya Schenk said the best part about the rink was the price. “It’s very reasonable,” she said.“It’s probably one of the least expensive things you can do with your family. I think it’s great.” And it’s likely to continue, Rawson said. “I think we’ll be skewered if we don’t do it again,” she said. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 6, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120607.pdf?ref=smdp.com)