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Nearly 13,000 people hit the ice last winter for the second year of ����ֱ�� Skates, presented by AMETEK, from November through February.

The free outdoor ice rink—located on a section of East Erie Street between the PARTA parking deck and the ����ֱ�� State University Hotel and Conference Center—is a key initiative between ����ֱ�� State and ����ֱ�� partners to create a more vibrant place to live, work and play.

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The rink was created through a partnership among the city of ����ֱ��, ����ֱ�� State University Hotel and Conference Center, ����ֱ�� Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street ����ֱ�� and ����ֱ�� State University. Local businesses and the Destination ����ֱ�� Convention and Visitors Bureau are also sponsors, and University Facilities Management staff keep the rink open and operating during the season.

“This is a true example of what is possible when so many people come together focused on a community asset,” says Dana Lawless-Andric, PhD, ����ֱ�� State University’s associate vice president of University Outreach and Engagement.

After a slide around the rink, visitors can warm up in ����ֱ��’s shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, galleries and many local events.

“A vibrant and healthy downtown benefits everyone, and ����ֱ�� Skates has played an important—and fun—role in strengthening our local economy and sense of community,” says , interim executive director for the ����ֱ�� Area Chamber of Commerce.

One of the rink’s enthusiastic sponsors—and users—was Amy Mucha, MEd ’16, owner and chief artist of , a cake pop bakery that opened a shop in downtown ����ֱ�� this April. “I cannot tell you how much our family loved it this winter,” she says. “And  I saw so many of my non-����ֱ�� friends coming into town to try it out as well.”
 

—Phil Soencksen, BS ’89 

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