COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Tuesday the return of Columbus Blue Jackets Winter Park presented by Worthington Industries at McFerson Commons, located across the street from Nationwide Arena, from Friday, February 3 through Sunday, February 26. The NHL-sized ice rink that anchors Winter Park will be open for 24 days of public skating, hockey and a variety of community events. Last year, Winter Park attracted more than 16,000 skating participants over the month-long run.

In advance of the official opening, the Blue Jackets are scheduled to hold a team practice at the outdoor rink on Thursday, February 2. The practice will be open to the public and free of charge. Practice time is to be announced.

The newest attraction to the park is the Mad River Mountain Tubing Hill, a kid-friendly, two-lane tubing activity for visitors to enjoy free of charge on weekday early evenings and weekends.

Another enhancement is the addition of a rink-side heated tent where spectators may watch the skating or hockey action. Developed in conjunction with Columbus-based Marketing Activations Group, the Winter Park’s outdoor rink will be further equipped with bleacher seating for approximately 250 people, a skate rental tent and four heated locker rooms. Another attraction will be a video board near the rink that will show Blue Jackets games on select weekends.

Admission to skate will be $5 and includes skate rental. New this year, visitors may purchase advance tickets for public skating at the Big Lots Box Office at Nationwide Arena.

Other opening weekend festivities will include The 5th Line 5K Race presented by OhioHealth on Sunday, February 5. The 3.1-mile road race that starts outside Nationwide Arena and finishes across center ice is open to runners and walkers. Registration participants receive a voucher redeemable for a pair of tickets to an upcoming Blue Jackets game. For more information or to register for the race, visit www.The5thLine5K.com.

For more information on Columbus Blue Jackets Winter Park presented by Worthington Industries, visit www.BlueJackets.com/WinterPark. Future announcements regarding hours of operation, public skating schedules and more will be forthcoming.

The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they host the Los Angeles Kings. Game time is 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Eldorado Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including WWCD 102.5 FM, and online at BlueJackets.com.

(Columbus Blue Jackets press release)