Mishawaka's new ice ribbon, cafe and events center skates toward winter opening
MISHAWAKA — Despite the hot, summertime weather, construction on the Ironworks skate/cafe/events center at Beutter Park is on track for a December opening.
During a recent tour, city officials spoke of the trio of new ventures that will take full advantage of the prime downtown location to offer recreation and a gathering place that will be used year round by patrons.
The complex will be home to the city's ice ribbon, which will consist of a winding ice path and a rectangular surface for other ice skating.
It also will feature a cafe that will offer sit-down dining, a bar and will service the ice center.
Taking advantage of the views of the St. Joseph River and the downtown landscape, the second floor will offer an events center that will give small groups a meeting place in a central location.
The $20.5 million project is expected to be complete in time for a planned Winter Fest celebration the first week in December.
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City's new skate park
It's official: The new ice ribbon will replace the longtime Merrifield Ice Rink. Mayor Dave Wood and Parks Superintendent Phil Blasko said the aging rink mechanics are too far gone to continue operations there. The Merrifield rink will be the summer home for portable skateboard ramps, but it will not be used in the winter.
The new site will offer a path to skate, as well as a large ice surface at the east end of the complex.
Blasko said the city also has purchased ice "bumper" cars that will give skaters a new experience.
The center will offer a party room and concessions will be served by the cafe next door.
Due to anticipated popularity of the new ice center, Blasko said there likely will be a reservation system in place when it opens this winter.
Wood said the success of Elkhart's NIBCO park showed Mishawaka officials a way to incorporate plans for a similar park for more winter activities downtown in a more geographically central location.
Mayor Dave Wood called the development a "scaled-down version of Rockefeller Center" due to its ice ribbon, cafe and events center's proximity to The Mill apartment complex.
Events center vistas
Views of the St. Joseph River, Beutter Park and the downtown buildings will offer groups a 270-degree vista, city officials said.
A full-scale catering area will accommodate gatherings where renters will be able to stage such events as reunions and weddings.
An outdoor rooftop terrace also will be offered at the events center.
The center will become one of the venues rented by the city parks and recreation department, Blasko said. Wood said the capacity of 100 to 125 people will keep the venue intimate, and it should not compete with other area venues that can handle much larger groups.
Rates to rent the venue and the reservation system have not yet been established, Blasko said.
Year-round indoor-outdoor cafe
The cafe concept at the complex is being planned by Mark Tarner, owner of the South Bend Chocolate Cafe. While final plans are being set, the cafe will feature sit-down dining. A large indoor-outdoor fireplace is being built for the space, and the cafe will be located on the south side of the building.
Wood said the hope is to have a year-round eatery that will serve as a coffee house that can also serve as an evening-drinks destination.
Other related features
Wood said the middle of the ice ribbon at Ironworks Plaza will feature stainless steel and glass sculptures by James Brenner of Minnesota.
According to a news release, four of the five Brenner sculptures will incorporate LED and fog elements in the center of the ice skating circuit, with a fifth sculpture to go on top of the building. The sculptures will have an ice skating theme.
In addition to the sculptures, the large ice skating area will have a stage to the north toward the park. Wood said the stage will be the winter home for the city's Christmas tree, and he hopes it will be lit for the first official time this season at Winter Fest.
Blasko said the ice center in the summer will have other uses. For example, he said the ice rectangle will be available to vendors for the city's annual Farmer's Market. "We have a wait list of 20 to 30 vendors, and now we will be able to use this space for vendors," he said.
The Christmas tree stage also can serve as a band stage during the summer months. Other areas of the ice ribbon also can be used as gathering places, and city officials see the area as a four-season venue.
Wood said the footprint of the new ice ribbon/cafe/events center actually caused an expansion of Beutter Park as it and surrounding developments, like the Ball-Band Biergarten and The Mill apartment complex enhanced the attraction of the downtown area.
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"This (venue) gives off a downtown vibe in winter, as well," Wood said. "All these quality-of-life amenities are helping to bring more private investment."
Blasko said it also is his hope that the new parks venues can help downtown businesses. "We want people emanating downtown to help support downtown businesses," he said.
To showcase the new development, the city is finalizing plans for a huge Winter Fest celebration, tentatively set for Dec. 3.
Email South Bend Tribune reporter Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Downtown Mishawaka: Ice ribbon, cafe and events center at Beutter Park
