Ice-skating rink to open next month
Figure skater Chang Chiung-wen yesterday performs at the new ice-skating rink of the Taipei Arena, known as the Little Dome. The dome is set to open to the public on a trial basis starting September.
PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
The nation's first world-class ice-skating rink will open next month for a trial period, the Taipei City Public Works Department Commissioner William Chen (陳威仁) said during an inspection of the construction site yesterday.
The new rink is part of the Taipei Arena, known as the Little Dome, located in downtown Taipei.
The dome is set to open on a trial basis starting next month. If everything runs smoothly, the facility will officially open on Dec. 1.
The rink consists of two major parts: the main field and a sub-field.
For the former, the gymnasium of the multi-functional dome will serve as a rink and be covered with ice when needed for skating. [b]The sub-field is a smaller field that will be covered by ice all year round.
The department is scheduled to hold a ceremony next Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the rink. Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) will personally attend the ceremony. He inspected the site last month, saying he had high hopes for it.
Some professional skaters from the Chinese Taipei Skating Union (中華民國滑冰協會) were invited to skate two days ago, and said they were pleased with the results.
The city is planning to host several Asian ice-skating competitions at the rink later this year. The dome will also be able to host ice hockey and other winter games by adjusting the hardness of the ice.
The dome has 10,000 seats, which can be expanded up to 15,000 seats if necessary. It will be able to accommodate sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, and other large activities.
The dome has two underground and five above ground floors, with a total space of 88,000m2. The rink itself is 1,800m2.
According to the ETTV Group (東森集團), which will be in charge of the operation of the rink, ticket prices have not been decided. But some reports say that skaters can expect to pay between NT$200 and NT$300 per person for entry to the rink.