Newport Waterfront Events will host a Grand Re-Opening of the Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI and 34TH Annual Tree Lighting on Friday, December 11th at 5:00 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center.
The rink failed to open last winter due to the sale of the Newport Yachting Center by Newport Harbor Corporation to Scott’s Wharf. In the spirit of cooperation, the Newport Harbor Corporation agreed to donate the skating rink equipment and assets to Newport Waterfront Events while Scott’s Wharf, LLC, a division of Peregrine Group, is providing the Newport Skating Center’s former space at the Newport Yachting Center for the coming skating season
Joining Newport Harbor Corporation and Peregrine Group to make the return of the rink to Downtown Newport possible are more than 35 partners, sponsors, local businesses and local residents.
More than $25,000 was donated in unique community/private donations from passionate members of the local community that wanted to see the Newport Skating Center return.
This year’s partners/sponsors of the Newport Skating Center presented by ALEX AND ANI include:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
- Peregrine Group/Scott’s Wharf, LLC
- Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group
- Stop & Shop
- Cox
- RIPTA
- People’s Credit Union
- Haven Brothers Concessions Food Truck
- Viti Auto Group
- Rob Levine & Associates
- Discover Newport
- BankRI.
- Amica Insurance
- Think Thin
- KVH
- NAVSTA Newport Homes
- Cumulus Radio
- Hyatt Regency Newport
- Aquaball
- Roger Williams Park Zoo
Community partners that stepped up include:
- Peregrine Group- donated the site back to NWE to operate the rink; provided monetary support in sponsorship for the Treelighting/Grand Re Opening event.
- Newport Harbor Corporation – donated the rink equipment to NWE
- Mr. Bill Medeiros – donating his talent and time to help build and maintain the skating rink.
- International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Bowens Wharf Company
- Bannisters Wharf/Clarke Cook House
- International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Blackstone Caterers
- Newport Lobster
- Style Newport
- Admiral Fitzroy Inn
- Newport Hospital
- Jane Pickens Theater- donated the Home Alone 25thAnniversary movie screening perk and a Movie Party
- Jam Construction – donated their services to the rink this season
- Cappy’s Hillside Café – hosted a fundraiser in November, provided free food to guests and bartenders donated their tips
- Island Skating Academy-fundraising skating show at St. George’s in November
- What’sUpNewp
- Newport Daily News
Grand Re-Opening
Newport Waterfront Events invites one and all to come enjoy a festive celebration with a sprinkle of holiday magic at the Grand Re-Opening of the Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI and 34TH Annual Tree Lighting, to take place next Friday, December 11th at 5:00 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center.
The illumination of the 20-foot evergreen tree, donated this year by Nathan Lister and Nagetuck Tree Farm in Tiverton, Rhode Island, along with Santa & The Elves, carolers, free cocoa and cookies from Stop & Shop, the debut of the Havens Brothers Concessions Food Truck and skating performances with the Island Skating Academy, mark the traditional kick-off to Newport’s holiday and skating season. Entry to the event, sponsored by Peregrine Group, will be hosted by LITE Rock 105’s Amy Pontes, is free. The rink’s first public skate of the season will immediately follow the event until 9:00 p.m., depending on weather and ice conditions, with admission $7 for adults and $5 for kids 11 and under. An Adult Skate is scheduled from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Other Key Upcoming Events & Info
The skating center’s Season Schedule, which includes all days EXCEPT school vacations and holidays, is Monday – Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with an Adult Skate session from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday from noon – 5:00 p.m.; Newport County School Vacation and Holiday Skating Schedule hours will run Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Friday from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Adult Skate); and Sunday from noon – 9:00 p.m.
The Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI, located at the Newport Yachting Center at 4 Commercial Wharf, first opened in 2000 and features a 9,000 square foot skating surface large enough to accommodate up to 100 skaters at a time. Skate rentals, hot beverages, comfort foods, lighting for night skating, regular admission discounts, FREE parking and viewing spaces for the public are also featured at the rink. Frequent Skater Cards and Season Passes. are available for stocking stuffers and can be purchased at the rink.
The BankRI Coat Drive from December 11th, 2015 to January 4th, 2015. Donate new or gently used coats to help those in need this winter. Each donor will receive a pass for 2 for 1 admission to the rink. Coats received will benefit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport.
Skate With Santa on Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. complete with complimentary hot cocoa and Santa of course! He will be visiting with all the kids after he skates so bring the camera!
Ugly Sweater Date Night on Friday, December 18th, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and enjoy 2 for 1 skating admission if you show up in an ugly holiday sweater.
Win free tickets to the ‘Home Alone’ 25th Anniversary Special Screening at the Jane Pickens Theater & Events Center set for Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Just sign up for Newport Skating Center updates, follow us on Facebook, twitter and Instagram and Newport Waterfront Events will randomly pick winners of movie passes or skate passes each week through December 21st.
The Learn to Skate Program, directed by professional skater, Meghan Lamarre, is once again being offered by the Island Skating Academy for beginner and advanced students. Check out www.islandskatingacademy.com to learn more about the programs and skate camp.
Nightly specials at the rink return this year and include: Free Skate Nights on Mondays courtesy of ALEX AND ANI and Wednesdays thanks to Cox Communications (not offered during the holidays or during school vacation); Stop & Shop Night on Tuesdays sponsored by Stop & Shop when skaters receive 2-for-1 admission with a Stop & Shop card; and People’s Credit Union Family Fun Night on Thursdays with discounted admission.
The Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI, located at the Newport Yachting Center at 4 Commercial Wharf, first opened in 2000 and features a 9,000 square foot skating surface large enough to accommodate up to 100 skaters at a time. Skate rentals, hot beverages, comfort foods, lighting for night skating, regular admission discounts, FREE parking and viewing spaces for the public are also featured at the rink. Frequent Skater Cards and Season Passes. are available for stocking stuffers and can be purchased at the rink.
The skating center’s Season Schedule, which includes all days EXCEPT school vacations and holidays, is Monday – Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with an Adult Skate session from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday from noon – 5:00 p.m.; Newport County School Vacation and Holiday Skating Schedule hours will run Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Friday from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Adult Skate); and Sunday from noon – 9:00 p.m.