For once, more ice is a good thing.
Recently, on a bone-chilling January afternoon in Altoona’s Ironwood Park, a giant, furry creature named Crash – mascot of AHL hockey team the Iowa Wild – joined community members in cutting the ribbon on a new outdoor ice rink.
The rink – donated by the Wild in partnership with Wells Fargo and the City of Altoona – measures 80 by 40 feet and resembles a miniature version of a pro hockey rink. While it’s a bit smaller than regulation size, it’s perfect for epic hockey games, graceful pirouettes, and, for the rest of us, opportunities to fall on our butts and laugh.
The new rink joins Altoona’s extensive parks and trails system, which offers free outdoor fun for residents and visitors all year long.
“We are proud of our parks and trails and all the amenities they have to offer,” said Altoona Mayor Dean O’Connor. “This simply creates a wonderful partnership instilling the importance of being active and social.”
Altoona’s new ice rink is amazing, but it’s far from the first of its kind. Since kicking off their Community Rinks program, the Iowa Wild has partnered with Wells Fargo and communities across the Des Moines metro. So far, they’ve built 10 public rinks, all of which are free and open to everyone.
Crash wouldn’t have it any other way.
Lace up your skates & visit Altoona’s new rink
What: An epic, outdoor skating rink
Where: Ironwood Park, 2380 3rd Ave SW, Altoona, IA
Admission: Free
Schedule: The rink will stay open as long as weather permits and the ice remains frozen.
