CALDWELL, Idaho — Indian Creek Plaza’s ice ribbon will open Friday at 5 p.m. for skaters to glide on while enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season.
To keep the ice solid and smooth all season, a dedicated facilities team starts work in mid-October to build the protective panels, glass and handrails that make up the ribbon structure.
Under the plaza stage, in the pump room, engineers have a system of coolant and chemicals that are pumped under the concrete to chill the surface.
Facilities Manager Corey Turner said this system helps keep the ice frozen through slightly warmer and sunny days.
"There is three things that are variable to ice out there, the first being the big ball in the sky. And then you've got wind, believe it or not, wind creates a friction across the top of that ice. And the third thing is, you know, ambient temperature, if we're above 55 degrees, it's hard to keep that top layer solid," said Turner.
Once the concrete is cooled enough water and ice paint can be applied.
“We'll lay about a half inch of water down to get ice level to about a half inch off the concrete. We will take a special sprayer and a special designed ice paint and spray that ice with that ice paint, and then we'll start spraying water on top of that, and it'll start freezing, and we'll build up about an inch and a half to two inches out there on the ice," Turner said.
In addition to the ice ribbon opening, there will be a tree lighting ceremony for the Magical Musical Tree in Tilian Plaza at 7 p.m.
To purchase skate tickets and rentals and hours of operation check out Indian Creek’s website.
For more information on the Winter Wonderland click here.