UNMC ice rink to open Friday

Hours and prices The UNMC ice rink will be open daily from Dec. 4 through Feb. 28. Hours Weekdays — 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday — noon to 8 p.m. Admission UNMC students — Free Employees and relatives — $4 Children 12 and under — $4 Adults — $6 Skate rental is $3. View more about the ice rink online.

UNMC will open its new ice rink on Friday during a brief dedication ceremony at noon.

The outdoor rink, which is part of UNMC’s student plaza near the Sorrell Center, was made possible by a gift from Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott.

UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., will direct the ceremonies. Andrew Klutman, vice president of the UNMC Student Senate, also will speak at the event.

“This will be a tremendous addition to the winter recreation scene in Omaha,” said Dr. Maurer, who came up with the skating rink concept based on his fond memories of the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in his native New York. “It will provide countless hours of fun for the entire community.”

Paula Turpen, Ph.D., director of research resources for UNMC and a competitive ice skater, will culminate the ceremony by being the first skater to take to the ice.

Free Friday for students UNMC students skate free on Friday (no admission fee, no skate rental fee). Students also will receive a free lunch. Employees do not have to pay admission but will need to pay a $3 skate rental fee. Admission can be paid with credit card or cash. No checks will be accepted.

“This is a first-class facility that will be run professionally and with the emphasis on safety,” said Deb Thomas, assistant vice chancellor for business services. “We want to make this a memorable experience for everybody who comes to skate.”

The ice rink will better connect UNMC to the community, said John Russell, assistant vice chancellor for human resources, who noted that the rink converts into a plaza space that can be used all year round.

In the warmer months, it will be an area for study, concerts, theater productions and other special events, he said.