The holiday season in Fort Worth just got a little bit colder.
Panther Island Ice, Fort Worth’s first ice outdoor ice-skating rink, is now open!
The new rink is located by the Coyote Drive-In theaters – but you don’t have to buy a movie ticket to skate.
The attraction is part of the Trinity River Vision Authority’s plan to “create an urban waterfront neighborhood” in Fort Worth, according to the project’s website.
“This was something that obviously it gets a little colder and we can’t do as many water-related things, so it was in idea to bring something to the community to come back here,” said Matt Oliver, Trinity River Vision Authority public information officer.
Oliver said the new rink is designed with families in mind, whereas some of the other TRVA projects at Panther Island Pavilion – like Aloha Paddle Boards and the Fort Worth Fourth event – are more geared towards the “young professional” crowd.
Ice Rink Events constructed the rink in about a week, he said. That company is expected to build over 30 more rinks in the next two weeks, across the country.
Several North Texans said they’re excited about the opening of the ice rink.
“I think it’s going to bring a lot of people’s attention not only to the drive-in, but the Trinity River that’s so close and the fact that we can see downtown,” Lauren Brown, a Fort Worth local who hosted her daughter’s birthday party at the rink on Saturday.
“It’s been an awesome experience,” Brown said.
For one Fort Worth resident and his son, it was a first-time skating experience.
“It’s pretty cool. Nice to be able to ice skate…or try,” Lynn Stewart said jokingly. “Just nice to have that possibility to go out and enjoy a winter sport… in Texas.”
Panther Island Ice will be open until January 5th, and will even be open on the major holidays. Previously, the closest ice rink to downtown Fort Worth was in the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills.
Oliver said the attraction is also expected to be back next year.
For more information on skate rentals, admission and operating hours, visit Panther Island Ice’s website.
