At a press event this past Wednesday, October 15,
Center City District (CCD) President Paul Levy announced the upcoming
Rothman Ice Rink at
Dilworth Park in front of City Hall.
Sponsored by its namesake orthopedic practice, the
Rothman Institute, the new ice skating venue will open to the public on Friday, November 14. Along with Rothman,
PNC Bank and local ABC affiliate
WPVI have provided financial support for the rink, which will be erected atop Dilworth Park's 11,600-square-foot fountain. It will ve roughly the size of the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.
All-day admission to the ice will be $3 for children and $4 for adults, with skate rentals available for $8. Open seven days a week, the venue will stay open on holidays and offer a four-week learn-to-skate program on Sunday mornings, along with additional events and programs coordinated by CCD.
Avid people-watchers and tired parents will be able relax on the PNC terrace, where they can enjoy coffee, pastries and sandwiches from José Garces’
Rosa Blanca Cuban Diner. Free Wi-Fi will remain available throughout the winter.
As a result of a competitive bidding process held by CCD earlier this year,
Rink Management Service Corporation will operate the rink and offer group discounts, birthday party packages and private rentals.
Held at noon, the press event allowed visitors to get a sense of just how popular Dilworth Park has become as the midday lunch crowd and tourists streamed into the brand new public space.
Other Dilworth Park updates were also provided: According to Levy, a lawn and more bench seating will be accessible this week, and the remainder of the park is set to open before Thanksgiving.
Information on Rothman Ice Rink events and other updates are available at
dilworthpark.com.
Writer: Dan Eldridge
Source: Paul Levy, Center City District