Rosemont to debut ice rink this winter

Rosemont will debut an outdoor ice skating rink, similar to the rink at Chicago's Millennium Park, this winter at a site where the village plans to develop an entertainment district.

The future Park at Rosemont entertainment district will be located on property just west of River Road between Bryn Mawr and Balmoral avenues next to Muvico 18 Theaters.

The skating rink will be open starting 10 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. It is free and open to the public.

“We are very excited to bring a winter wonderland experience to the suburbs,” Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens said in a news release. “This represents the first event at the Park with many more already being planned. When our new entertainment district is complete in 2012, we will host regular year-round programming.”

The first phase of construction of the 200,000-square-foot entertainment district began last month. Its anchor tenants will be Toby Keith's “I Love This Bar & Grill,” King's Bowling center, and Lansdowne Irish Pub, all of whom have signed leases to build venues there. Several more restaurants are also planned and are close to inking deals with the village, officials said.

The development will feature an all-season park at its center where officials plan to host year-round programming, including ice skating, farmers' markets, concerts, fairs and festivals, and exhibition sporting events.

“This will become the place to gather in the suburbs and will always have something going on,” Stephens said. “Vibrant and active entertainment has always been a staple of Rosemont, and now we will provide it in a whole new way.”

An official ribbon-cutting for the ice rink and a tree lighting ceremony is planned for 6 p.m. on opening day, Friday, Nov. 26. Music and refreshments will be served. Complimentary validated parking will be available. The rink will stay open until 11 p.m. that day.

Regular hours of operation will be 3 to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The rink will be open longer during the holiday season, Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. It will remain open through Feb. 27.

Skate rental is $8. For information, visit rosemont.com.