Outdoor ice rink gets seal of approval

Local girls Amber, 13, and Aimee Wolfgram, 15, getting a sneak peak at the outdoor ice skating rink which will be in Rotorua for a month.Photo/Ben Fraser

Adults and children alike donned their skates and took to the ice, despite the rain, to get a sneak preview of the Harcourts ice skating rink.

The skate rink was launched last night for a VIP event ahead of the official opening tonight.

Brody Greening, 9, said it was his first time ice skating.

"I'm excited to try it and once I get use to the ice, I want to try doing some tricks."

Harcourts operations manager Erin Kingston said the VIP event was about getting a buzz going before the ice rink officially opened.

"It's a lot of fun and everybody enjoys it. Families may walk in smiling but then they walk out beaming which is great to see."

Ms Kingston said locals could expect a unique experience at the skate rink.

"Even though this will be the third year we've had the skate rink in Rotorua, it is a completely different thing to do and the locals love it.

Ms Kingston said Harcourts sponsored the rink to "give something back to the community". "It is our way to say thank you to all the people in Rotorua who support us."

This morning, from 7am to 9am, Harcourts put on a Hospice Breakfast, where locals could have a hot breakfast and a skate for a gold coin donation.

Image 1 of 10: Amber Wolfgram, 13, left, and Aimee Wolfgram, 15, Photo/Ben Fraser

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The skate rink runs alongside the annual The Hits Fire and Ice Festival, which runs for a month, and includes a winter feature film, blaze night and lantern parade. For more information about the Fire and Ice festival go to facebook.com/fireandicerotorua or grab a festival programme from the i-Site, City Focus, Convention Centre and participating businesses.