BOISE, Idaho — We're not expecting any ice or snow in Treasure Valley locations for a while, but some of your favorite winter attractions are already taking shape.
Construction is underway for two local ice skating rinks. There's one in Caldwell at Indian Creek Plaza; and for the first time, there will be another in downtown Boise at the Grove Plaza.
Today, crews at Indian Creek Plaza are finishing up putting up the railing system. Corey Turner, the facilities manager for Destination Caldwell, says this is one part of a very involved process.
"It takes about 3 weeks to set up the ribbon," said Turner "Then, it takes about 3 weeks to make ice. What we do is spray water on the cooled down concrete. Then, it freezes and we'll lay paper down and it makes it reflective and then we'll lay water down and we'll freeze it."
Under the ice ribbon, there are 4 miles of piping to cool the concrete. And, that's how the ice is made.
November 17th is the opening day for Winter Wonderland, so that's the first day you'll be able to skate. You can also make reservations to skate online on Indian Creek Plaza's website.
Boise will have its own ice skating rink this year too. Construction at Grove Plaza is already underway. "Glide on the Grove" is being funded by the Downtown Boise Foundation. And it's unique not only because it's new to Boise, but because it won't actually have any ice.
"It's a material that the best way to describe is, it's like a sheet of plastic with a lubrication in between it. It's the same material that an Olympian in Florida would use if they want to train outside in July. It skates like regular ice. It's got a 10-year lifespan, minimum. And the more it gets skated on, the more it feels like ice," said Jennifer Hensley, executive director for the Downtown Boise Foundation and Downtown Boise Association.
"Glide on the Grove" will be open from Thanksgiving weekend until January 2024.
Hensley also mentioned that this material was chosen, in part, because it's so low maintenance. With lower maintenance costs, organizers can make sure the ice skating and rentals are free in Boise.
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