Mon
Dec 10 2007
08:28 pm
Ice Rink
By: StaceyDiamond

On Friday WATE kept running teasers about the ice rink may have to close. It may have just been to drum up ratings, when they interviewed a manager she said the stakes were different now that its a non-profit but that they are making plans for next year. She also said the county might help.
I figured the city gave money for the event. Do they not? I worked there the first year and working there sucked, but the customers seemed to have a great time, the only problem being too many visitors. I trust some of the kinks are worked out now and it adds a great festive vibe to downtown. I think it would be worthy of some tax money if that's what it took to keep it open and affordable.
SammySkull's picture

We looked forward all last

Submitted by SammySkull on Mon, 2007/12/10 - 9:24pm.

We looked forward all last week to visiting the ice rink Saturday night. The rink was full, and the line to get on the rink stretched back to the entrance. It was a line of people standing there, in skates, waiting for a chance to skate. By nine the line was as long with the rink closing at ten. Needless to say, we didn't join the line but will go back on a weeknight.

We did have a nice night anyway, even the disappointed nine year old. It almost warmed my cold heart a little to wander through Krutch Park then out to Gay Street to see all the lights.

We were hit up for some money by a guy claiming to have just arrived in Nashville an hour ago. I might have given him a dollar if he'd at least realized where he was.

bizgrrl's picture

We saw the same report.

Submitted by bizgrrl on Tue, 2007/12/11 - 8:48am.

We saw the same report. Then, the next night we saw a report on how successful the ice rink has been. Not sure of the station doing the second report. It was quite confusing. Although, it is possible to be successful in one aspect but not successful monetarily.

Factchecker's picture

It was very crowded on

Submitted by Factchecker on Tue, 2007/12/11 - 9:42am.

It was very crowded on Sunday night, when we went to Tomato Head. The non-profit part seems weird. Could it be just to support some cause and what would that be?

bizgrrl's picture

The non-profit part seems

Submitted by bizgrrl on Tue, 2007/12/11 - 10:00am.

The non-profit part seems weird

I thought they were just saying they are not profitable.

Factchecker's picture

Ah! I think you're right.

Submitted by Factchecker on Tue, 2007/12/11 - 1:16pm.

Ah! I think you're right.

StaceyDiamond's picture

reports

Submitted by StaceyDiamond on Tue, 2007/12/11 - 8:42pm.

WBIR did a report on Sat. talking about the success. Sounds like the rink is still like it was in 05, people would be in line for hours and highly pissed, but the ones who got in loved it. For some reason instead of being run by DoubleJay Creative, the rink is now a non-profit called Center City Events, helped by DoubleJay. I guess it took stress off DJ, but seems to have added to the rinks money woes.

Randall Brown's picture

US Cellular sponsorship

Submitted by Randall Brown on Wed, 2007/12/12 - 9:37am.

The ice rink is sponsored by US Cellular and a slew of other entities, if that means anything to anyone. http://www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com/

Larsen Jay's picture

Ice Rink Information

Submitted by Larsen Jay (not verified) on Sun, 2007/12/16 - 11:06am.

I've read through all your comments and would like to add some information to the discussion.

My name is Larsen Jay and I'm the co-founder of the rink, and the one who's been behind the rink production for the last few years.

Yes, the rink is run by Center City Events, a non-profit organization dedicated producing events in and around the downtown area to connect the city and surrounding communities with the center of the city. The reason for this move was... (1) DoubleJay Creative is not in the event business, and it made sense to find a new home that could dedicate serious time throughout the year to keeping the rink going and work on other events, and... (2) the rink has always been a non-profit venture, so it made sense to make it officially one, in a separate entity.

The WATE story was completely bogus and a bit shameful. They started running "doom and gloom" promos at 6pm, but didn't interview the rink Director until 7:30p - when she then dispelled everything they were promoting. This was a non-story simply to drum up ratings. Pitiful in my mind. Plus, they never interviewed me, and I'm the one financially responsible, so they clearly weren't interested in the facts.

The rink is coming back in 2008 and everything is right on track. The third year's the charm in this case and we've worked out the kinks and maximized the ability to allow everyone to participate in this renewed holiday tradition.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me personally. Thank you all for supporting this great non-profit event.

Larsen Jay.
865-384-2656
larsen_jay@yahoo.com

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

TN Progressive

TN Politics

Knox TN Today

Local TV News

News Sentinel

    State News

    Wire Reports

    Lost Medicaid Funding

    To date, the failure to expand Medicaid/TennCare has cost the State of Tennessee ? in lost federal funding. (Source)

    Search and Archives