Christmas ice-skating rink hits town

8 December 2014

For Immediate Release

Move over Santa, a revolutionary new ice rink is coming to town.

From 15 December Hamilton’s Christmas Place (Garden Place) will host a new synthetic ice-skating rink giving Hamilton families and visitors to the city the opportunity to enjoy a truly Christmassy skating experience without the chill factor.

Hamilton Christmas City will be first city in the country to host the ice-free rink which is made completely from recycled materials. From 11am -7pm daily, 15-23 December families can enjoy a 30-minute session for a small cost of $5 per adult and $3 per child.
Traditional ice skates are used on the rink and hire is included in the cost.

The ice-skating rink will take centre stage under the tree in Hamilton’s Christmas Place, the name given to Garden Place during the festive season.

Garden Place will be transformed into a festive wonderland this year with live lunchtime entertainment, giant games of Jenga and chess, a big Christmas “selfie” frame and a post box for children to post their letters to Santa. There’s even a special doggy day when you can bring your dog in for a photo with Santa.

Mayor Julie Hardaker says Christmas Place will be the centre of Christmas activity in the city this year with some exciting and new things for everyone to enjoy.

“But the ice-skating rink will be a major attraction providing great fun for all the family rain or shine. It’s something very unique and a wonderful opportunity for everyone to experience something that usually only happens in the Northern Hemisphere during this time of year.”

“Outside of Christmas Place, there’s plenty more fun, family-friendly Christmas events happening across the city including the Temple View lights, Trees at the Meteor and Carols by Candlelight,” says Mayor Hardaker.

Events and activities in Christmas Place this year include:

· Santa’s Post Box - post a letter to Santa in our post box that has a direct line to the North Pole, daily from 8 December

· Christmas Markets, Sunday 14 December, 10am-3pm

· Ice Skating Rink - 15-23 December, 11am-7pm

· Hamilton Christmas Giant “Selfie” Frame - daily from 15 December

· Doggy day - bring your dog in for a photo with Santa - Saturday 20 December , 1pm-3.30pm

· Live music on the Christmas Place stage - 10-24 December, 12-2pm

· Giant outdoor family games of Jenga, chess, draughts, Connect Four and petanque- daily from 15 December

· Face painting– daily from 15 December

· Fairy lights and decorations, including the Garden Place fountain in festive colours – every day and night in the lead up to the big day.

For more information about events and activities in Christmas Place and across the city visit hamiltonchristmascity.co.nz or pick up a handy map of events from any Hamilton City Libraries branch, Hamilton I-SITE Visitor Information Centre or Hamilton City Council in Civic Square.

ENDS

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