Answer Man: Will ice skating return to Harrah's in Asheville anytime soon?
This has been updated to include the Highlands Ice Rink.
Today's burning (maybe freezing?) question asks whether ice skating will return to Harrah's Cherokee Center, and where else you can get in some time at the rink. Have a question for Answer Man or Answer Woman? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.
Question: Is there anywhere to ice skate near Asheville? Are there any plans for the old Civic Center (now Harrah’s) in downtown Asheville to bring back an ice skating rink for the public?
Answer: Harrah's General Manager Chris Corl got to the point: "There are no plans to bring back ice here, unfortunately," he said.
Asheville has not had an ice rink since the winter of 2008-09, when the city voted not to continue funding it at the then-U.S. Cellular Center.
After the city lost its minor league hockey team, public skating was the only reason to keep the ice, Corl said. But even then, there were problems.
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"The ice plant and associated equipment were in a terrible state of disrepair and needed at the time a multi-million dollar overhaul," he said. "It was determined to move on from ice and become an arena that did not host ice events."
From 2010-14, the ice was removed over three rounds of renovations, creating the Harrah's we know today.
"Ice plant equipment was eliminated and the space converted into additional storage, meeting and event space in our current layout," Corl said.
There is good news for those willing to drive. Greenville, South Carolina, still has several ice rinks, just a little more than an hour's drive from downtown Asheville. So do some ski areas in nearby Western North Carolina counties. Highlands has a rink, too.
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Highlands Ice Rink at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founder's Park
Where: 440 Oak Street in Highlands.
When: Ice skating season started Nov. 11 and will last until March 15. The rink is open at certain hours Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
To learn more: Call 828-526-3556.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Where: 940 Ski Mountain Road in Blowing Rock, Watauga County.
When: Ice skating season started Nov. 23 and will last until March 19.
To learn more: Go to appskimtn.com/ice-skating-rates or call 828-295-7828.
Sugar Mountain Resort
Where: 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive in Sugar Mountain, near Banner Elk in Avery County.
When: As of Dec. 9, the resort's website and an automated phone message say that ice skating is open.
To learn more: Go to skisugar.com or call 828-898-4521.
United Community Bank Ice on Main
Where: Located at 208 S. Main Street in Greenville, S.C.
When: The rink opened on Nov. 14, and will be open until Jan. 16, except for Christmas Day.
To learn more: Schedule updates are posted frequently to the rink's Facebook page, Facebook.com/IceOnMain. Or call 864-365-4258.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Where: Located at 650 North Academy Street in Greenville, S.C.
When: The rink will be open Dec. 19-30, according to its website.
To learn more: Go to bonsecoursarena.com. You can also call 864-241-3800 or email info@bswarena.com.
The Pavilion
Where: 400 Scottswood Road in Taylors, S.C.
When: It's open year-round.
To learn more: Go to pavilion.greenvillerec.com/ice-skating or call 864-322-7529.
Ryan Oehrli is the public safety reporter for the Citizen Times. Questions? Comments? Tips? Send them to coehrli@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Ice skating in Asheville or Western North Carolina?
