A winter wonderland: San Mateo’s seasonal ice rink opens in Central Park this weekend

One of the Bay Area’s largest outdoor ice skating rinks, San Mateo on Ice is amidst seemingly out of place palm trees and will run through Jan. 10 with varying daytime and evening hours.

“This amazing facility will draw people young and old to our downtown and create a spirit of fun and holiday cheer for everyone to enjoy whether they skate or not. Ice skating in the park will bring back happy memories for many, and create new ones for friends and families to share for a lifetime,” Mayor Maureen Freschet wrote in an email while thanking community organizations for their support.

The opening will kick off Friday as the San Mateo United Homeowners Association, or SMUHA, sponsors a tree lighting celebration with special performances and live music to bring in the holiday spirit.

Public skating officially begins Saturday, and a two-hour spectator event Friday will include solo performances by Olympic skater Polina Edmunds and national skater Sarah Zhang. Several other rising athletes and dance competitors will also take to the rink. Visitors will also be entertained by a Lilo and Stitch performance courtesy of the Nazareth Ice Oasis Production group as well as musical numbers by Masterworks Chorale.

SMUHA President Emerita Anna Kuhre said she’s ecstatic to have received support for illuminating a 20-foot magnolia tree and hopes this season marks a memorable tradition.

“We have such a beautiful park that’s underutilized every holiday season. This is such a tremendous use of this beautiful resource that we have in our city for families to enjoy throughout the holiday season,” Kuhre said, noting she’s proud of SMUHA for getting involved. “We’re all part of the same city, we all want the same thing, we want what’s best for San Mateo. And to me, this is a very loud representation for the San Mateo United’s desire to be more active and involved in our city in every capacity.”

The Central Park ice rink has been in the works for months after the City Council approved upgrading the park’s electrical system, a requirement to support the rink. But the holiday rink comes at little to no cost to the city.

Run by the private On Ice Rinks, the operator is responsible for funding the costs and is reimbursed through sponsors and revenue generated from ticket sales, said Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Canzian.

Like Kuhre, Canzian agreed the ball field and park are underutilized during the winter season and is hopeful the rink will attract more attention to what San Mateo has to offer.

“We think it is a terrific use, the city is very excited about it. Not only does it add a whole new recreational amenity inside Central Park, which we’ve never had before, but I think there’s really great enthusiasm that people who are coming from out of the area would go to the ice rink then go downtown and have lunch or dinner. So we feel there could be some real residual economic spinoff just in terms of having this so close to downtown,” Canzian said.

The temporary holiday ice rink at Central Park is not meant as a replacement for the Bridgepointe Shopping Center’s former year-round ice rink — over which there’s a heated battle between the community and the property owner that seeks to redevelop the site into more retail.

However, city officials are hopeful the faux winter wonderland in sunny San Mateo will be successful enough to become a seasonal tradition.

“I’m really excited about the Central Park ice skating rink and can’t wait for the opening this weekend!” Freschet wrote. “My hope is that this will become a lasting legacy and annual holiday tradition in San Mateo where families and community gather to relax and celebrate the season.”

The tree lighting celebration and performances begin 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. The rink will be open most weekdays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. with extended hours from noon to 10 p.m. on weekends and school holidays. It’s $15 to skate, which includes rentals, but there’s no in and out privileges. Visit www.sanmateoonice.com for more information.