Glide into Columbus Metropolitan Library for fun on indoor 'ice skating' rink
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If you can't make it to New York City's Rockefeller Center for a day of gliding around its famous skating rink, the Columbus Metropolitan Library is offering the next best thing.
"Sockefeller Center," which debuted Jan. 3 in the atrium of the library's main branch at 96 S. Grant Ave. and will be open through Jan. 31, gives icehounds the chance to kick off their shoes and go slip-sliding away on a synthetic ice rink.
"It’s very popular with children and their grown-ups. We’ve gotten wonderful feedback," said Ben Zenitsky, the library's media specialist, adding that the rink was created with children under age 10 in mind, but there is no specific age limit posted.
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The rink was purchased from Better Hockey using funds from the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation. Better Hockey, which provides on- and off-ice training products and equipment for clients including more than 100 National Hockey League Players.
As proof of the attraction's allure, Zenitsky said a colleague emailed him to relate the experience of a mother who brought her children to the rink recently.
"Her children were enjoying the sock skating rink, and she informed us that they both had sickle-cell disease, which precludes them from most winter activities because they need to avoid the cold," the email began.
"With tears forming, she expressed her thankfulness to the library for providing this space for her kids to enjoy some winter fun like everyone else. She told us she intends to come back a few times while we have it available, and she hopes it will be back next year.”
In other ice-related news, the library has partnered with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission ahead of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which will be held Jan. 22-28 in Columbus for the first time.
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Additionally, figure skating legends Gracie Gold and Nancy Kerrigan will visit the library to talk about their books. Gold, whose memoir is due out on Feb. 6, will appear at 1 p.m. Jan. 26 and Kerrigan will read her children's book, "Stronger Than She Thinks," at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 27. The events are free, but attendees must register at eventbrite.com to reserve a spot.
The library also has on display historic memorabilia and art on loan from the U.S. Figure Skating archives including historic magazines, Ohio native Carol Heiss’ dress from the 1960 Olympic Games, youngest-ever U.S. Championship winner Alysa Liu’s dress from the 2019 championships, and hand-painted ice skates by Columbus artist Gabby Anderson.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Metropolitan Library offers synthetic ice skating rink
