Woodlands to debut new ice rink facility

The House of Blues and event center at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Oct. 20 in The Woodlands. The 21,000-square-foot facility is a joint project between the pavilion and The Woodlands Township. The two entities forged an agreement to each pay half of the $5.5 million in building costs and share the use of the building. less The House of Blues and event center at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Oct. 20 in The Woodlands. The 21,000-square-foot facility is a joint project between the pavilion and The Woodlands Township. The two ... more Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Woodlands to debut new ice rink facility 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

As The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion's concert season winds down, the newly opened facility that has been the House of Blues and event center for the past few months will transform into an ice rink for the first time.

On Nov. 19, The Woodlands Township will debut its new ice rink facility, which was built in partnership with the Pavilion. The $5.5 million price tag on the 21,000-square-foot building was split evenly between the two entities, with the Pavilion owning it and granting the township a 30-year lease on the property.

For the past 16 years, the ice rink has been housed in a temporary, 80-foot-by-216-foot tent and has drawn hundreds of thousands of skaters - about 50,000 each season - from in and out of The Woodlands. In that time, the tent has had three locations, keeping residents, visitors and township staff on their toes.

"We never knew year to year where we could construct the tent," said Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau. The inconsistency of the location prompted the township to begin seeking a more permanent location about 10 years ago.

Wolda said the new venue will create a different experience for skaters.

"The operations will be much more consistent ... as the temporary tent many times was affected by temperature and weather elements," he said.

Once the Pavilion's season wraps up, the venue's carpet will roll back and the specially outfitted cement beneath will freeze a layer of water, creating the ice rink. While the ice rink is the same size as the one used previously, the restroom facilities are double the size of the old ones, which often had long lines. The venue also has lighting, a sound system, tables for parties and concessions.

Wolda believes there may be a learning curve for those who have visited in the past as they get used to the new location, but he thinks the new venue will be well received.

"It's a great new venue with easy access to parking at the Town Center garage, nice restrooms and a great way to spend leisure time in the holidays in The Woodlands," Wolda said.

The ice skating season will run from Nov. 19 through Jan. 16. Hours of operation are: 3-9 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 3-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. The ice rink is open during special holiday hours on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Weekend admission for a two-hour session is $12.50 for adults and $6 for children 5 and under. Weekday admission is $10.50 for adults and $5 for children. The ice rink is located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, near the north gate entry of the Pavilion.

By the numbers:

$5.5 million: cost of new Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Event Center/Woodlands Ice Rink

21,000: square footage of new facility

6,000: square footage of House of Blues Lounge

4,200: square feet of meeting and event space

50,000: average ice rink attendance each season