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A new outdoor skating rink opens today at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, built with a gift from Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott.
Following a dedication ceremony at noon, the ice will be christened by Paula Turpen — the Medical Center's director of research resources and a competitive ice skater.
Chancellor Harold Maurer came up with the idea based on his memories of the Rockefeller Center ice rink while growing up in New York City.
“This will be a tremendous addition to the winter recreation scene in Omaha,” he said. “It will provide countless hours of fun for the entire city.”
The 5,500-square-foot rink is part of UNMC's student plaza, bounded by 40th and 42nd Streets, Dewey Avenue and Emile Street.
It will be open to the public daily through Feb. 28.
When winter is over, the ice rink will be a place for students to study and a setting for concerts, theater productions and other special events.
John Russell, assistant vice chancellor for human resources, said the ice rink and student plaza will help connect the medical center to the larger community.
The UNMC logo will be visible through the ice, which will be created over a concrete slab chilled to 20 degrees by 3.3 miles of plastic piping containing a glycol solution. Seating around the rink will be supplied by 121 limestone blocks.
A tent on the west side will house admissions, skate rentals and the ice rink manager.
Three large heaters will be outside the tent to warm people up. Three outdoor restrooms will be north of the rink.
“The ice will be maintained every day to provide optimal skating conditions. We want to make this a memorable experience for everybody who comes to skate,” said Deb Thomas, assistant vice chancellor for business services.
Skating hours will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children age 12 and younger. Admission is free for UNMC students and $4 for employees and their accompanying family members.
The only other outdoor skating rink in Omaha is the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink, 10th and Harney Streets. The ConAgra rink opens Dec. 12.
Contact the writer:
402-473-9581, leslie.reed@owh.com
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