Moscow news
-
04-Dec-2006
Biggest skating-rink in Europe opens in Moscow
MOSCOW, December 4 (Itar-Tass) -- The biggest open skating- rink opened in Red Square in Moscow last night. The skating-rink occupies one- tenth of the square, the ice arena 2, 700 square meters in size is expected to be the most popular place in Moscow frequented both by Moscow residents and guests of the Russian capital, organizers of the skating rink project said.
There are dressings rooms, a cafe and skates offered to visitors for a moderate pay of 500 roubles per 1. 5 hours. The skating-rink is open from 10.00 a.m. to midnight daily. The skating- rink will be open in any weather until March 2007, the organizers said.
The skating-rink adjoins the building of the biggest State Department Store in Moscow - GUM from which one can see people skating. The skating- rink has a fence and might be transformed into an arena for ice hockey games with rows of benches brought for spectators.
On December 9 the world's best group of five hockey players and Russia?s best ice hockey veterans will hold "a battle" on ice. "It will be a unique ice hockey game timed to coincide with the anniversary of Russia? s legendary ice- hockey team - Fetisov, Kasatonov, Makarov, Larionov, Krutov.
The skating- rink will not damage the historic stony paving of Red Square because the ice does not directly lie on the square, but is resting on supports, said Alexei Koteljnikov, Press attache of JSA company - technical contractor of the project. A total of 250 tons of equipment under the skating- rink?s surface enables to keep the artificial ice in good condition, he said.
It is a first time that Russia undertook such a large-scale winter amusement project. Several years ago a small skating-rink 15x 30 meters in size was made on Red Square, the present miraculous skating-rink surpasses the previous one in splendor, scope and quality.
On Sunday night a gala ceremony of opening the skating-rink was held with Russia?s traditional cuisine, songs, presents and even "snow". Despite gray November with no snow in Moscow now, the organizers managed to get some "snow" for the opening ceremony. Skaters from the "Stars on Ice" revue were one of the main attractions of last night?s ice show.
Itar Tass