EAST LANSING, Mich. — A pop up ice skating rink will be installed in downtown East Lansing’s Valley Court Park this February.
The rink will be free and open to the general public for two weeks, Feb. 11-Feb. 25. Hours of operation will be 3-9 p.m., weather permitting. The installation of the rink is a community outreach effort spearheaded by the East Lansing Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Downtown Management Board (DMB). The DDA would like the rink to become a seasonal offering in the downtown, with this year being the pilot year.
"We are so pleased to support this community engagement project and believe that the rink will offer a different, meaningful activity for residents and downtown visitors,” said DDA Chairperson Bill Mansfield.
The rink can accommodate approximately 40-50 skaters at one time. Daily operations of the rink will be managed by staff with the East Lansing Department of Planning, Building & Development, as well as community volunteers.
“We will be seeking the assistance of community volunteers to help with assembling and maintaining the rink. A call for volunteers will be issued in the next two weeks,” said Amy Schlusler, DMB coordinator and community development specialist II with the Department of Planning, Building & Development.
Community members are encouraged to visit www.downtownel.com for project updates and volunteer opportunities.
This year’s pop up rink would not be possible without the financial support of the DDA and DMB. In addition, donors include: Beggar’s Banquet, The Riv, Rick’s American Cafe, Harrison Roadhouse, MSU Federal Credit Union, Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub, Weathervane Advisors, Student Book Store, Goomba’s Pizza, Charlie Kang’s, Martin Luther Chapel and the East Lansing Forward Citizen Group.