At a Glance
- Heat causes Grapevine ice rink to close.
- Temporary blanket cover keeps ice frozen for Friday reopening.
- Skating scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, regular schedule through January 6.
- Why it matters: Families and visitors need to adjust plans; the rink is a popular holiday destination.
Grapevine’s popular ice rink has shut down for the season due to an unseasonably warm spell, but organizers have installed a temporary blanket cover to keep the ice frozen for a Friday reopening. Visitors hoping to skate have been disappointed, but the rink is expected to reopen at 4 p.m. Friday with plans to resume Saturday and Sunday.
Heat Forces Rink Closure
The sudden rise in temperatures has caused the ice to melt, with crews reporting that water has accumulated on the surface. The ice has become unsafe for skating, prompting a temporary closure.
Karen Pratt said:
> “We’ve had several days now in a row where people have been skating on literally through the water.”
Karen Pratt added:
> “The more water we lose, the less ice we have, and then we would have to close completely because the ice wouldn’t be thick enough to skate on safely.”
- High temperatures
- Water accumulation on the ice
- Safety concerns
Reopening Plan and Safety Measures
To preserve the remaining ice, a temporary blanket cover has been installed to block direct sunlight. The cover will keep the ice frozen through the weekend and allow the rink to reopen Friday at 4 p.m.
Karen Pratt said:
> “We have brought in a temporary blanket cover to try to maintain the ice for today and tomorrow. And we plan to reopen Friday at 4 p.m.”
| Day | Time | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 4 p.m. | Reopen |
| Saturday | 4 p.m. | Reopen |
| Sunday | 4 p.m. | Skating scheduled |
| January 6 | – | Regular schedule resumes |
Ice Stars will resume its normal operating hours through January 6.
Visitor Reactions
Families who were hoping to skate have expressed disappointment but are still enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Some visitors are adapting to the warmer weather and focusing on the festive decorations.
Robert McCollum said:
> “It’d be nicer if it was cooler, but being in Texas, we’re used to it.”
Juan Luis Peralta said while visiting with his family:
> “We were expecting to have some skating, but I think they’re not going to open it today.”
Samantha Savage said:
> “We’re just enjoying it as much as we can. It’s good to be able to get them outside.”
- Enjoying decorations
- Focusing on outdoor time
- Adjusting to heat
Key Takeaways
- The rink is closed due to heat but will reopen Friday with a blanket cover.
- Skating resumes Saturday and Sunday, with normal hours until January 6.
- Visitors are adapting to warmer weather while enjoying holiday festivities.
Despite the heat, Grapevine’s ice rink remains a highlight of the holiday season, with plans to keep skating alive into the new year.
