Through a cold, chilly abyss, the Bicentennial Unity Plaza ice skating rink creates a warm environment full of cheer.
The ice skating rink is in downtown Indianapolis in the same plaza where the NBA plays. So, I expected it to be quite expensive, and it was a little pricey for just 2 ½ hours of skate time. In order to get a ticket, I had to go to the website and select a date that is open and a time slot. Basic admission was $11, and admission with skate rentals cost $15. In addition to getting a ticket for admission, I had to pay for parking, and for about 2 hours, it was about $20. Additionally, we had to walk quite a bit because there was no nearby open parking, so be prepared for a journey to the rink.
I attended with my sister, and it was very chilly. We arrived, and only then did we realize the skating was outside. It was in a sunken area that held the boot stand, concessions, and ice rink. It was decorated nicely and was not that cold despite us being outside. We arrived about 30 minutes before our session started, and it was pretty empty. Only a few people were there for our session, or in general, probably due to the chilly weather.
After the price of admission, the second thing I noted was the initial customer service and how they had everything organized. The admission person was courteous and quickly got us the correct size of skates. The skates smelled clean and were freshly sharpened. There was a seating area and a rack to put your shoes on. However, as it is downtown, I was disappointed that our shoes would be out in the open because they could be stolen. Also, anyone with a purse must keep it with them as they skate.
When getting ready to get on the ice, I noticed there were a total of five skate instructors on it. They were there to help with falling, and one stood out at the rink entrance to greet everyone or help them get on. I fell a couple of times, and the guards rushed over to help me get up. The service was excellent. I was so embarrassed that I kept falling, but they encouraged and helped me. The people on shift take turns guarding the rink based on the different sessions. So, some people were on shift but sitting out talking until the next session.
The last thing I decided to test was the concessions. They were bare, generic things like alcoholic drinks, regular drinks such as Coke or Gatorade, candy, small bags of chips, and hot chocolate. Since it was all generic, I would try the hot chocolate to see if it was made well. At first, I was expecting something tasteless and watery, but it tasted pretty high quality. It was about $5 for a small hot drink cup of it. That was a little expensive, but it was worth it.
I will definitely be returning before the winter is over. Though it was a little pricey, the experience was worth it. I felt like I was the main character in a Hallmark movie, and everyone should capture an occasion such as that at least once in a lifetime.
