7 Jul 2017

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Cathedral Square will become a winter wonderland when an ice rink and giant Snow Globe open this weekend.

The KidsFest event will see a 375 square metre skating rink operated by Ice-World New Zealand open to the public tomorrow. The giant Snow Globe will open on Sunday.

The attractions are in the south-west corner of Cathedral Square near the old Post Office building and will be open every day of KidsFest until July 23 when the school holidays end. The rink is covered by a large marquee-type roof.

Ice-World Managing Director Wayne Lawrence says it is exciting to have the rink in Christchurch after an absence of about five years and the setting is fantastic.

“It has been too long since we’ve been back here. The really exciting thing is that we’re in Cathedral Square which is such a beautiful location in the heart of the city. It’s going to attract people back into the centre of the city to experience the joy of ice skating and the fun of a giant Snow Globe.”

It will be the first time the globe, which has falling synthetic snowflakes, has been in Christchurch. “Everyone seems to really love the experience,” Mr Lawrence says.

The skating rink will be open daily from 9am until 9pm and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Ice skating tickets include skate hire and there will also be orange “Bobby the Seal” ice skating aids for those who need them. They can be pushed around or children can ride on them.

Ice-World New Zealand is expecting about 10,000 people will try out the rink over the school holidays. 

Council Events and Arts Manager Karena Finnie says the ice rink has not been in Christchurch since IceFest in Hagley Park in 2012 and it is great to have it back.

"We are really happy to offer ice skating in Cathedral Square as part of KidsFest this year.  It gives people a wonderful reason to return to the central city and have some fun, and it's the perfect attraction for mid-winter in Christchurch."