New Valley Rink Eases Ice Time Crunch

Thu., April 6, 2000

By Lorie Hutson lorieh@spokesman.com (509) 459-5446

Recreational skaters can expect to get more time on the ice starting this fall when Planet Ice finishes construction on a second rink.

Work on the $1.5 million expansion will begin in May, with plans to open the new rink by mid-September in time for the fall hockey season, said Tom Henricksen, marketing director for Planet Ice.

“We’re looking forward to a second sheet of ice because it will allow us to have public skating at the same time as hockey events,” Henricksen said.

Right now, recreational skating has to be cancelled when hockey clubs are using the ice, making the schedule somewhat unpredictable for skaters.

Planet Ice has one National Hockey League regulation-size rink, a concessions bar, dining area, and a hockey equipment store. The $2.5 million center opened last November at 3212 N. Eden, giving Valley skaters an alternative to rinks on the North Side or Riverfront Park. A second Valley skating rink, Ice World, 21510 E. Mission, opened the same month.

The expansion at Planet Ice will add a second regulation-size rink on the east side of the existing building, and include five dressing rooms and spectator seating, Henricksen said.

The rink has attracted hockey groups for most of the prime ice time, including the Youth Hockey League, Inland Empire Amateur Hockey Association, Spokane Braves Junior Hockey and some college and high school club teams, Henricksen said.

When the new rink opens, Planet Ice will concentrate on providing more public skating time and rink rentals for private parties and lessons.

A recording of Planet Ice public skating hours and events are available by calling 893-0202.

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