Last year, a group effort from the James City County Parks and Recreation, Ironbound Gym and the New Town Association brought a synthetic ice skating rink to New Town. The venture was so popular the county extended the rink’s hours for another month.
The Legacy Hall Skate Rink will be back to New Town this holiday season starting today, but with a number of changes the organizers hope will ensure its continued success.
Scott Grafton, the owner of Ironbound Gym, said the project had been in the works for years before it came to fruition. While the rink is made of synthetic ice, which is much cheaper than the real deal, he said the skating is still a good, local experience.
Ice was never an option, Grafton said, especially given Williamsburg’s unpredictable weather.
“There’s just too many variables,” he said.
While synthetic material does not have the same glide as real ice, requiring skaters to work a little more, the reduced slipperiness means it’s harder to fall.
James City County park coordinator Jarrod Hurr said the rink is a work in progress, but the county learned lessons last year that influenced the changes to this year’s program.
“We wanted to make sure when we brought it back, we brought it back bigger and better,” Hurr said.
He said the most common suggestion they received was to adjust the size. Last year’s capacity was 55 to 60 people, but the newly expanded rink — about 60 feet by 60 feet — will fit roughly 75 to 100 skaters, depending on the mix of children and adults.
With 150 skates total, Hurr said skate inventory will likely regulate capacity more than any other factor.
The rink has a new location this year as well, moving to the grass on Sullivan Square. The dimensions of the road location limited the size last year, but Hurr said the county wanted to prove the rink would be a success before expanding.
The tent is gone, as well. Even though guests could skate in inclement weather, no one wanted to, Grafton said.
There are also adjustments in hours and reduced prices, which Hurr said makes the rink a more family-friendly destination.
Skating will be open only during Friday evenings and weekends until locals schools go on break Dec. 20, then return to a shortened schedule after New Year’s Day. The rink will be closed Christmas Day, and will close early on Christmas Eve. For a full list of dates and times, click here.
Grafton said the organizers realized which days were more or less busy last year and adjusted accordingly.
“This year’s going to be a lot more efficient,” he said.
Hurr said the county wanted to make sure the rink stays affordable. While individual admission remains $5 without skates and $7 for those renting, seasons passes have been reduced from $50 to $35.
A family pass is also available for $70, which includes two adults and all children in their household (under the age of 18) for the entire season.
Hurr said the rink is very competitive with other rinks in the region, but with a much shorter drive to get there.
The last changes are less structural and deal more with the atmosphere of the skating area. Hurr said it feels more festive than the space did in the past, and Grafton echoed his praise of the decorations.
“It looks like it’s officially part of New Town now, not an add-in,” he said.
Hurr hopes the rink will continue as a New Town tradition, with continued growth and improvement. He said the county wants to add features in the future, like skating lessons.
Last year’s revenue and attendance numbers were above those in the five-year projection, and Hurr is confident this year will meet, if not exceed, expectations.
“We’re in a very good position now as far as our equipment and infrastructure to start building upon that,” he said.
Grafton expressed gratitude to county and New Town businesses who made it possible for the rink to exist, and bring joy to families at the holidays.
“It just makes you smile. It sounds kind of goofy, but it makes you smile,” he said.
