White vinyl is placed over the concrete of the ice rink and frozen in place on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The rink is scheduled to open December 6.Photo: (Kiley Cruse/UNMC)
(Omaha, NE) -- The UNMC Ice Rink opens for the season, starting this coming Friday, December 6th.
According to a press release from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the visible change is the installation of a canopy over the ice rink, serving as a new decorative centerpiece for the rink, covering it during winter and setting up an even larger shade structure for warmer seasons, providing a new signature improvement to the icing system.
The canopy was in part provided by Ruth Scott and her late husband, Bill, who also made a previous gift to establish the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza, UNMC says.
“Ruth and Bill Scott have built our academic campus through their philanthropy,” said Amy Volk, senior vice president for UNMC with the University of Nebraska Foundation, quoted in a press release. “The Scotts care deeply about UNMC students and the student experience. They made the initial gift to add the skating rink to provide students with a fun place to gather on campus and take a break. The Scott family is pleased to enhance the space with the new canopy.”
The improvement is getting noticed.
“This improvement will have a major impact in enabling our students, staff and faculty to enjoy use of the rink for more outdoor events and ceremonies throughout the year, under conditions that would have previously proven challenging,” Interim Chancellor Dr. Dele Davies said in as part of a news release from UNMC. “The longstanding generosity of the Scotts continues to impact all aspects of our campus life, and this gift will help create wonderful memories for so many for years to come."
UNMC says next spring, new ambient lighting with color changing capability will be installed in the canopy’s center lighting. Now when warmer weather brings out the full shade panels, the rink will have added capacity to hold spring, summer and fall activities.
Regular hours of operation are:
- Mondays and Thursdays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (UNMC campus intramurals take place those evenings.)
- Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Sundays: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Extended holiday hours run Monday, Dec. 23-Sunday, Jan. 5:
- Sundays through Thursdays: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Holiday hours are:
- Christmas Eve: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Admission for the public is $7, which includes skates.
UNMC admission is free for members of the med center and university community as follows:
- UNMC, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney and Clarkson College staff and students, along with Nebraska Medicine employees and students, along with their spouse/partner and children. Must present a valid university ID badge.
- Ronald McDonald House employees and house guests. Must present a valid ID badge.
UNMC says potential visitors can check weather closures by going to Facebook or by calling 402-559-0697. Free parking is available in Lot 15, located on the north and east sides of the UNMC Center for Healthy Living.
Skaters may bring food and beverages. Alcohol is not allowed. For more information about the ice rink, check the rink’s webpage.
