City of Holland Reveals Location For New Ice Skating Rink

The City of Holland has decided on a location for a new community ice skating rink thanks to some really generous donations.

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Community Ice Skating Rink

Something that really adds to the community in any city is an ice skating rink.

When I first moved to Grand Rapids, my office was temporarily in the Ledyard building and when I would work late in the winter and get off work late at night, I always loved the beauty and the sounds coming from the ice rink in Rosa Parks Circle.

There are a variety of ice rinks that are all over Michigan and around the United States where weather permits.

Everyone's either heard of or seen the most famous ice rink in the country in New York City at Rockefeller Center. There is just special magic that emanates from a community ice rink.

There are lots of different designs of community ice rinks. Some now have trails that go through a park and end up at a centralized rink while others just have the rink.

No matter what style the community ice rink is, one thing that is in common with all ice rinks, is there is no shortage of smiles and joy from those who use them.

Ice Skating Rink in Holland, Michigan

The City of Holland has talked about a possible new ice skating rink for quite some time now but after some generous donations, research on other skating rinks, talking with Army Core of Engineers and others, a location has been agreed upon.

The City of Holland rests alongside the Macatawa River which eventually empties into Lake Michigan.

The community ice skating rink will be located along College Avenue north of 6th Street at the western end of Window on the Waterfront Park near the Outdoor nature Playscape. It's close to downtown and parking can be shared at the playscape.

What Will Holland's Ice Rink Look Like?

Above is the first rendering of what the City of Holland ice skating rink will look like.

This new ice skating rink in Holland will be more than a skate rental and a rink. There will be something for everyone of all ages like hot chocolate, heated walkways and benches, a Zamboni to keep the ice fresh, and even a rink for curling.

Who Funded Holland's Ice Skating Rink?

According to WOOD, there were two major donors that have contributed to the funding of the Holland ice skating facility. $5 million came from the estate of James Heeringa and $1 million from a legend in the Holland community Frank Kraai seen in the photos above. Kraai's $1 million donations came after he already had donated $116,000 for this project.

In the video below, Hollan Mayor Nathan Bocks talks about the ice skating rink project and pays an amazing tribute to Kraai who was a school teacher, played Santa Claus, was the center of their Christmas parade, host of a cable access show about Holland, and a Tulip Time announcer.

You can learn more about the project here and how you can help donate so the project can be completed.