The city of Albuquerque opened its first ice skating rink downtown Friday afternoon.People out on the ice say the rink can get a little crowded. It’s only 20 to 30 feet wide.The city is borrowing the rink and a large inventory of ice skates from the BioPark.Originally, city leaders were in talks with the Isleta Pueblo regarding a rink. The tribe has a large ice skating rink it uses. They tried to strike a deal, but Mayor Richard Berry’s chief of staff, Gilbert Montano, said they couldn’t reach an agreement.Montano said the rink isn’t that big -- it can only hold about 15 to 20 people -- but it’s a good place to start.“Our goal and our hope is to grow it, if not double or triple the size this year and next,” Montano said.But it’s not ice you’ll be skating on. The rink is a synthetic material that’s made to look and feel like ice.“We put a sheen over it that allows that ice-like feeling,” Montano said. “It’s an interesting kind of process (that is) utilized all over the country.”You can rent skates for $3 at the rink. If you bring your own, it’s free to skate. The city won’t allow any hockey sticks or balls on the rink.Mobile users: Tap for videoThe rink will be open through February.

The city of Albuquerque opened its first ice skating rink downtown Friday afternoon.

People out on the ice say the rink can get a little crowded. It’s only 20 to 30 feet wide.


The city is borrowing the rink and a large inventory of ice skates from the BioPark.

Originally, city leaders were in talks with the Isleta Pueblo regarding a rink. The tribe has a large ice skating rink it uses. They tried to strike a deal, but Mayor Richard Berry’s chief of staff, Gilbert Montano, said they couldn’t reach an agreement.

Montano said the rink isn’t that big -- it can only hold about 15 to 20 people -- but it’s a good place to start.

“Our goal and our hope is to grow it, if not double or triple the size this year and next,” Montano said.

But it’s not ice you’ll be skating on. The rink is a synthetic material that’s made to look and feel like ice.

“We put a sheen over it that allows that ice-like feeling,” Montano said. “It’s an interesting kind of process (that is) utilized all over the country.”

You can rent skates for $3 at the rink. If you bring your own, it’s free to skate. The city won’t allow any hockey sticks or balls on the rink.

Mobile users: Tap for video

The rink will be open through February.