Chamber introduces eco-friendly synthetic skating rink as part of Winter Lights Holiday programming

Today, the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber announced a synthetic ice rink is coming to downtown Santa Rosa as part of the annual fun-filled, family-friendly Winter Lights program this holiday season.

The rink opens on Friday, Nov. 19 on Old Courthouse Square in Downtown Santa Rosa. Tickets will cost less than $10 and include a 45-minute session and skate rental, though skaters are welcome to bring their own sharp skates if they’d prefer.

The festivities will grow even brighter on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, when the annual Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration and Remembrance Candle Lighting Ceremony is held. This is a free, family-friendly event for the whole community featuring games, kids activities, live entertainment, holiday treats and drinks, as well as photos with Santa.

“The community has wanted a program like this in Downtown Santa Rosa since Courthouse Square was reunified in 2017. With such strong public sentiment, the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber is pleased to have the opportunity to coordinate and produce this great event,” Peter Rumble, CEO of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber said. Rumble went on to say, “Our community is hungry for safe and healthy things to do outdoors this holiday season, and this is a perfect way we can provide festive entertainment and help make our downtown vibrant.”

Visitors are encouraged to shop and dine locally in conjunction with their skating visit. With over 50 places to dine and drink, dozens of shops and boutiques as well as local artist and maker markets taking place on Old Courthouse Square, there is much to explore and enjoy in the area this season.

"We are thrilled to embrace the holiday season and bring this exciting outdoor recreational opportunity to the community," said Cadance Hinkle Allinson, Executive Director of the Downtown Action Organization. "Turning Downtown into a festive destination benefits Santa Rosa residents as well as our local shop and restaurant owners."

The rink, manufactured by a Swiss company called Glice, is made from heat-pressed polymers rather than ice, so water and electricity are not required for operation. The materials used in the rink are 100% recyclable. Without the use of water and energy, Glice is an amazing eco-friendly skating experience that is both fun and sustainable. The Rink will have a variety of safety precautions and COVID-19 regulations in place to keep skaters safe, including required face coverings and sanitizing stations. Participants will be skating at their own risk.

Online ticket sales begin Oct. 29. Tickets will be available first-come, first-served for sessions from Nov. 19 through Jan. 9. For rink days and hours of operation, ticket purchases, and more information about the annual Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration, along with dining and shopping recommendations go to downtownsantarosa.org/winterlights

The Rink is being funded through the efforts of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber in conjunction with the local business community. T-Mobile has generously stepped up as the Winter Lights presenting sponsor. Other members of the local business community that are supporting the installation through sponsorship include Graton Resort & Casino, Redwood Credit Union, Poppy Bank, B&L Glass, Sonoma Clean Power, Sutter Health (Founding Sponsor), Recology, Bank of Marin, Amy's Kitchen, Ausiello’s 5th Street Bar and Grill, Carle Mackie Power & Ross LLP, and Exchange Bank.