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If you build it, they will come
Northern Arizona's only ice rink popular attraction

Skaters of all ages enjoy a free ride on the ice Dec. 9. Since opening last week, the ice rink has become a favorite attraction for both locals and visitors.

Skaters of all ages enjoy a free ride on the ice Dec. 9. Since opening last week, the ice rink has become a favorite attraction for both locals and visitors.

Williams Christmas Committee members and city staff/officials are celebrating the blowout success of the latest addition to Williams Mountain Village Holiday ‹ the new temporary ice rink located west of the Williams-Forest Service Visitor's Center parking lot.

Touted as the only outdoor ice skating rink in all of Arizona, the facility was donated by the city of Tempe in exchange for tickets to next year's Polar Express. It was put together in less than one week and opened for operation Dec. 5.

City Parks and Recreation Department Director Rose Newbold reported that in its first six nights, the rink serviced 960 skaters and brought in approximately $1,800.

"It's just so incredible," Newbold said. "I've been talking to people from all over the country who are here for the Polar Express. Carload after carload have been coming up to us amazed and thrilled and asking 'When are you open?' We ran four sessions Saturday and Sunday night just to accommodate them."

The numbers so far are favorable and are exceeding the expectations of all that were involved.

"I'm overwhelmed with how well it has been received and its usage so far has been phenomenal," said Christmas Committee member Diana Croteau.

The rink and many of the other additions to Mountain Village Holiday ‹ such as the Second Street tree ‹ came about after Judge Bill Sutton Jr., began a push earlier this spring to make this year's holiday season in Williams the biggest yet. Since then, he and others have been impressed at the community's willingness to join the bandwagon and become part of the drive.

At the rink's Dec. 9 grand opening ceremony, hundreds attended for a night of free skating while Croteau, Mayor Ken Edes and Sutton each made presentations welcoming the community and thanking all those who had a hand in making the rink a reality. Williams Police Department Officer Rocky Hernandez dee-jayed the night's festivities and a set of Phoenix Coyotes game tickets were auctioned off for $50 with the proceeds going back to the rink.

Santa Claus ‹ played by Canyon Motel's Kevin Young ‹ rode in on the Zamboni and circled the rink tossing out gifts to happy children.

Staffed by both hired employees and volunteers, the ice rink is currently open nightly from 4:30-10 p.m. for three one and a half-hour sessions. Sessions are $6 for adults and $4 for children with a discount available for those who show a student ID. Skate rental is included in the price of admission.

Additionally, the Williams Christmas Committee has hired Pine Country Restaurant to man a snack booth complete with hot chocolate and other goodies during rink hours.

The facility is currently scheduled to stay open until Jan. 8, when the Polar Express is through, but operators say the city may choose to keep the rink open longer.


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