PORTLAND, Ore. — For the second year in a row, the Rose City has brought back the winter ice rink.
Construction of the rink started on Nov. 4 and was ready to go by Friday.
Thousands of people will once again be making holiday memories underneath the Morrison Bridge this year, with the rink open from Nov. 16 to Jan. 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for 90-minute skating sessions.
Last year, 20,000 people came down to the rink to skate; this year, organizers with Prosper Portland are hoping to double that.
Jacob Meunnich with Ice America, the company that is installing the rink, said they usually fill an ice rink in about three to four days, and they can do it as quick as 48 hours.
The winter village was such a success in 2023 that organizers decided to make it bigger this year. The rink will be going from 4,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet.
Meunnich said there’s going to be more than just skating this year: there is also going to be an observation deck so people can watch the skaters if they're not looking to skate.
“The goal is to bring people downtown to create holiday traditions. There will be lots of vendors, food trucks and live entertainment,” said Muennich.
By the end of the week, the hard work of putting together all of the pieces of the rink will be transformed into a place people can come and celebrate the holiday season.
“I think what really makes it so special is a whole vibe, that’s downtown in the holiday season. We got the Christmas tree, the ice rink, carolers and shopping. It’s kind of like being in a big city — but Portland-style,” said Amanda Park, senior project manager with Prosper Portland.