It’s time for an ice skating adventure in downtown McMinnville.
The city’s Tourism Development Board met Thursday and voted to become the proud owners of a portable synthetic ice skating rink.
“The bid window closed Friday,” said Tourism Development Board chair Sara Cantrell. “We received bids from two companies. We accepted bids for both, rental or purchase. Those two companies submitted two bids each.”
Party On Air Xtreme out of Kentucky submitted bids on a two-week rental for $17,722 and a three-week rental for $22,522.
Xtraice Rinks submitted bids for a refurbished rink at a cost of $59,999 and a brand new rink at a cost of $69,999.
“I don’t have any interest in renting for those prices,” said TDB member Christy Ross. “For me, I’m killing that one and looking at buying a refurbished or new one.”
Mayor Ryle Chastain added, “I agree with that. If you use it three times, you’ve paid for it. We’ve got the money.”
“If we're to only do this once, sure, do a rental,” said Cantrell. “We know that we want this to become a staple of downtown and Main Street at Christmas time. Of course, the long run possession of one the more we can recoup and then some. I think it’s in the best interest of the community for us to go ahead and purchase one.”
McMinnville officials have approved placement of the rink on The Lot during downtown Christmas festivities.
The synthetic ice rink is 1,800 square feet, slightly less than 53 feet long by 34 feet wide, and can be used year-around. It comes with a sharpening machine, shelves for skates, a cleaning machine, 80 pairs of skates, two penguins and two polar bears to push around to help with balance, and two skating chairs. The penguins and polar bears assist young, less skilled skaters, while the chairs are used for youngsters who want to ride while being pushed.
TDB administrator Dayron Deaton Owens says Xtraice Rinks provided the following on refurbished rinks, “Refurbished material comes from rentals in Europe that go back to the warehouse and are deep cleaned and conditioned with lubricant added to the surface. Last year was such a big year for us. After COVID restrictions were lifted, we sold out of our older refurbished stock. This year’s refurbished stock was all manufactured new for last Christmas season. So, it would have only been skated on once for about a month. The flip side is unused.”
Owens said that both refurbished and new rinks come with the same 12-year warranty, either can be enlarged in size with the purchase of additional sections and Xtraice Rinks will send representatives to demonstrate how to install the rink.
However, neither come with a subfloor for slightly uneven surfaces, a material that will be necessary on The Lot.
“I bet it’s three-quarter inch plywood,” said Vice Mayor Everett Brock, visitor to the meeting.
Chastain motioned to purchase the refurbished rink at $59,999 and use the cost savings toward purchasing material for a subfloor. The motion was unanimously approved.
