THE BLOCK retail and event space in Rio Rancho has launched a synthetic ice rink just in time for the holiday season, providing a fun and family-friendly skating experience.
Open from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31, the 30-by-40-foot rink accommodates up to 40 skaters at a time. With a $5 entry fee that includes skate rentals and 30 minutes of skating, THE BLOCK offers an affordable alternative to traditional ice skating.
“We are excited to offer the ice rink to our guests as another alternative to meet up and enjoy the space we have with our restaurants and shopping options and to have it at a really affordable price point,” Tiffany Gravelle, Chief Operating Officer of THE BLOCK. “So it is something fun to do during the holidays that isn’t going to break the bank.”
Visitors can also enjoy a variety of holiday-themed events, including outdoor movie nights, visits with Santa and a Taylor Swift birthday party, making it a festive destination for all ages.
According to Gravelle, the synthetic ice resembles a heavy-duty cutting board made of thick, durable plastic. It’s lightly coated with a food-grade oil to provide slickness without staining clothing or irritating skin. The skates provided are specially designed to glide smoothly on this unique surface.
THE BLOCK offers a variety of events to complement its synthetic ice rink, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors.Â
Holiday movies are shown outdoors at THE BLOCK every Wednesday and Saturday at 7 p.m., where guests can skate, enjoy a fire pit or relax with a blanket and s’mores, according to Gravelle.Â
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the holiday classic Elf will be featured. Other upcoming events include Santa Claus and face painting on Dec. 21 and 22, an ugly sweater day on Dec. 23, a Taylor Swift birthday party Dec. 13, from 7 to 10 p.m., and cupcake baking classes on Dec. 14 and 21.
“We love seeing the families, their pictures and their videos on social media,” Gravelle said. “We wanted to kind of create this mini Rockefeller Center experience at the block with our big tree and our ice rink, and we just love seeing people coming out to enjoy it.”