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Bust out that unitard: Capitol Hill ice rink coming soon

Artist rendering of the Capitol Hill skating rink.
Courtesy of Hunters Capital
Artist rendering of the Capitol Hill skating rink.

For those of you who have them, get ready to bust out your best bedazzled unitard and start practicing your triple Lutz. Capitol Hill is getting its very first ice skating rink this month – December 6 through 24.

And even if you're a terrible skater, like Jill Cronauer, director of property management for Hunters Capital, which is bringing the tented rink to Cal Anderson Park for 19 days, you're still likely to have a good time.

While the park is alive with activity during the summer months, Cronauer said, it's severely underused through the winter.

"We do have a great night life a lot of restaurants but nothing that’s more community oriented so it just seemed like a nice winter activity. You can come do shopping, go ice skating, get some food and make it seem more like a community," she said.

Seeking more sponsors

Like a perfect, fluttering snowflake, Cronauer said the idea has been in the air for the past couple of years.  But this summer Hunters got serious, partnering with the city and finding sponsors like Sound Transit, Skanska, and other smaller local businesses. But they're still looking for more sponsors to help cover the costs.

The price tag for the rink, which will be over the basketball courts, is about $100,000.

"At this point we're just looking to break even," said Cronauer. "Any profit that we make will go back to the park and the city."

Depending on this year's success, it could become an annual event. Skating will cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids and rental skates will be available.

There will be music, food and hot chocolate, so if you do wear that unitard, find a creative place for your credit card. No cash will be accepted.

On the Web:

And, in case you want some ice skating inspiration, watch Brandon Mroz execute a QUAD Lutz at the Colorado Springs Invitational:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMQ8qNTG-jY