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***image1***Kaiserslautern’s winter sports season starts today with the opening of the mobile ice-skating rink. This year it returns from the garden fair parking lot to the center of town; it is set up on the parking lot next to Karstadt department store.
“This winter, the ice-skating rink is even closer to the Christmas market and the culture market in Fruchthalle,” said Alexander Hess from the project office for city events.
The mobile rink is placed in a tent of 45 x 25 meters. It has a 600-square meter artificial ice surface. Those who don’t have their own ice skates can get some from the rental place, which also offers the sharpening of skates.
To warm up cold fingers and take a break, visitors can sit down in the bistro tent and watch the happenings on the ice through transparent walls.
Lord Mayor Klaus Weichel will officially open the rink at
7 p.m. today, followed by a program. Skaters can then take their rounds for a reduced admission fee of €1.50.
“We want visitors to experience ice-skating as a special event and put the sports aspect in the foreground,” said Mr. Hess. “That’s what people liked a lot in recent years.”
Fridays, inexperienced children under 14 have the opportunity to exercise with a licensed instructor at a cheaper rate. The skating rink offers Penguins and other training aids for beginners.
According to the Kaiserslautern Youth and Sports Department, prices are the same as last year. Admission fee is €2 for children and €3 for adults. Skates to rent are €3 and the Penguins cost €1.50.
An entertaining program will be offered on various days. Santa Claus will make his appearance Dec. 6 and the traditional ice curling takes place on Fasching. Other Christmas market activities take place between Nov. 24 and Dec. 22 in the outdoor area.
A special technical highlight this year is an interactive webcam. It is installed at the tent roof and offers the opportunity to see from home what’s going on by visiting http://eisbahn.stadtnetz-kl.de.
The daily skating hours are 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m. The rink stays open until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
School classes wanting to spend their field trip or their sports lesson on the mobile ice-skating rink can register and arrange skating times with the city sports department. For details and registration, call the sports department at 0631-365-1522.
For more information, get the “Kaiserslautern on Ice” flyer from the Tourist Information office in Fruchthallstrasse, local stores and restaurants or visit www.kl-on-ice.de or www.kaiserslautern.de.
