As colder weather approaches, a new winter attraction is coming to a New Hanover County beach town.
Carolina Beach Town Council approved funding for an ice-skating rink at a meeting on Sept. 8. The rink, proposed by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, will be located on a lot between Carolina Beach Avenue South and Cape Fear Boulevard between Silver Dollar and Hurricane Alley’s.
Chamber President Jim DeGilio said that the chamber hopes to fund the operation in subsequent years using profits from the attraction.
“As the Chamber of Commerce, our goal is to help our businesses through a very slow period of time here, and we think that this seven-week program could be an incredible boost to our local businesses here,” DeGilio said.
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The town will provide $50,000 in seed funding for the rink, allocated from its Tourism Development Authority funds.
The rink is expected to be open from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3. It will be open to all ages. Open skating will run from Wednesday through Sunday, while Monday and Tuesday will be reserved for special events. Details of the events have not yet been finalized, but potential options include figure skating exhibitions, lessons and private parties.
Setup is expected to begin on Nov. 16. After the rink closes in January, tear down is anticipated to run through Jan. 8.
The rink’s hours of operations will be:
- Friday and Saturday, Noon-11 p.m.
- Sunday 1-9 p.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, special events
- Wednesday and Thursday, 3-9 p.m.
DeGilio said that while discussions are still preliminary, the chamber is in talks with the Carolina Hurricanes to be involved with the rink. He said that a replica Stanley Cup could be made available for visitors to take photos with and that players could be brought in to sign autographs.
“How many kids have never laced up a pair of skates within 50 miles of here?” DeGilio said.
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The Chamber also hopes to establish a holiday-themed market with multiple vendors.
The anticipation alone is already starting to have a real economic impact on the town, DeGilio said. He has communicated with some business owners that are planning to forego annual layoffs with the ice rink expected to boost business in the offseason.
In the long term, DeGilio said that the rink could attract other year-round businesses that may be skeptical of opening in a beach town.
“I think it’s incumbent upon this town to bring things to our community that help with the shoulder season, and what better vehicle than the Chamber of Commerce,” Council Member Deb LeCompte said.
Reporting by Daniel Sheehan, Wilmington StarNews / Wilmington StarNews
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
