A big success: Dennison ice skating rink has 5,000 patrons in first season of operation

DENNISON ‒ The village's new outdoor ice-skating rink far exceeded expectations, attracting 5,000 patrons during its first season of operation.

"The numbers way exceeded what we ever dreamed," said Mayor Greg DiDonato.

The rink opened in November and closed for the season on Sunday. The rink, made of synthetic ice panels, was modeled on a similar one in Cambridge. The Cambridge rink had around 2,600 patrons during its first year of operation. DiDonato said if Dennison's rink got that number, it would be considered successful. It went way past that number.

"What was really amazing was there were nearly 100 parties booked there. I think that's one that shocked all of us. About 70% of them were birthday parties, but we also had a lot of groups that used it ‒ school groups, YMCA, Big Brothers and Sisters," he said.

Dennison worked with Cambridge Ice Rink LLC on the project. The village bought the rink through the company, and Cambridge Ice Rink operated the facility. The two entities will share any profits from the operation.

More on rink: Something for the kids: Dennison offers preview night for new ice-skating rink

No tax dollars were used for the project. The village sold about $70,000 worth of advertising, the Reeves Foundation provided $30,000 and the Rosenberry Foundation gave the village $20,000. The rest was paid for with private donations.

Where customers came from

Patrons of the rink were about evenly split between the northern and southern parts of Tuscarawas County. They also came from Carroll, Harrison and Coshocton counties.

There were also some out-of-state visitors, using the rink during operation of the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum's popular Polar Express train rides in December. DiDonato said the rink did very well during the eight days the train was running.

Wendy Zucal, the Depot's executive director, said the rink was a great addition to downtown Dennison.

"One of the things we've always been challenged with is activities for people to do while they were waiting for the train ride, or to get them to stay longer. They don't want to go far, because they don't want to lose their parking spot or miss the train," she said.

Zucal said she went to check herself to see if Polar Express visitors were using the rink, which is located at the corner of Grant and Fourth streets, a block from the Depot. She saw many children in pajamas skating there. Children who ride the Polar Express are encouraged to come in their pajamas.

"It definitely worked," she said.

Lessons learned

DiDonato said officials also learned a few things during the first season of operation. On Sundays, the rink was open from 3 to 8 p.m. Those hours did not match what patrons wanted. Next year, the hours will be switched from noon to 6 p.m. "It's more of an afternoon thing," he said.

Efforts will also be made to attract more visitors on Thursdays through special promotional nights, he said. Attendance was always strong on Fridays and Saturdays.

The village is looking at purchasing another row of panels to expand the rink by 6 feet. That would make the rink 46 by 70 feet.

In the coming weeks, the panels will be taken up and put in storage at a building in McCluskey Park. DiDonato said the rink will reopen in November.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dennison ice rink attracts 5,000 patrons in first season of operation