The Executive Office, City Of Providence, Rhode Island

Vincent A. Cianci, Jr.

Mayor Of Providence

Date: Friday, November 13, 1998

Contact: Beryl Kenyon/Doreen Picozzi, 421-7740, Ext. 222

Mayor Cianci said, "The grand opening of the Fleet Skating Center at Kennedy Plaza is cause for great celebration. This magnificent, public facility is another great venue heralding Providence’s transformation as one of America’s most progressive cities. Within walking distance of all the major attractions in our downtown, our riverwalks, Arts & Entertainment District, businesses, museums, colleges, restaurants, and the rising Providence Place mall, we now have a spectacular new center of recreation that enhances all of our capital city’s offerings. The Fleet Skating Center adds to our ambiance, adds to our appeal. It provides a new dimension to our downtown, extending superb recreational opportunities to all Providence and Rhode Island residents, and our visitors and tourists."

The gala November 24^th dedication of the Fleet Skating Center, hosted by Mayor Cianci and Dean Holt, chairman, president and CEO of Fleet Bank Rhode Island, marks the beginning of special public events continuing through Sunday, November 29^th.

The public is invited to participate in the Grand Opening ceremony that begins with a procession from City Hall to the Fleet Skating Center at 5 PM on November 24th, and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony and skating performances by Rhode Island’s own nationally recognized and award-winning precision skating teams, Sheer Ice, the Munchkins, and the Superettes.

"Fire on Ice", the grand finale jointly sponsored by the City of Providence and Fleet Bank, will be a one-of-a-kind exhibition combining music, skating and a specially designed pyrotechnics display.

Also included as part of November 24^th’s grand opening celebration will be the recognition of donors making leadership contributions to the Fleet Skating Center.

Mayor Cianci said that, as part of the Grand Opening Celebration, the public is invited to skate free-of-charge following the conclusion of the ceremonies, until 10 PM.

The "Providence On Ice" grand opening celebration, sponsored by Fleet, continues through Monday, November 30, when all leadership contributors will be honored at a private donor recognition reception at the Center.

Mayor Cianci said, "The Fleet Skating Center represents the wonderful public/private partnership that is responsible for so much of Providence’s resurgence. The spirit in which all leadership donors have entered into this partnership is truly inspirational. All who will enjoy this marvelous outdoor facility, now and in the generations to come, owe our donors a debt of gratitude."

Beginning on Wednesday, November 25^th, the Fleet Skating Center will be open for public skating from 8 AM to 10 PM, except for the times when special public programming is scheduled, as noted.

Wednesday, November 25^th. City lunch-goers can venture to the rink from noon to 12:30 PM to enjoy a special presentation of Trinity Repertory Company’s A Christmas Carol.

Thursday, November 26^th, Thanksgiving Day. The Fleet Skating Center will be open for public skating from 10 AM to 8 PM. (Abbreviated hours due to the holiday.)

Friday, November 27^th. A special guest appearance from a visitor from the North Pole takes place at 2 PM, delighting all children. The Providence/Pawtucket Figure Skating Club performs a holiday skating exhibition in festive costumes to holiday music from 2-3:30 PM.

Saturday, November 28^th. Meet and greet the Providence Bruins hockey team from noon to 1 PM. Enjoy skating with team members and Samboni, the P-Bruins mascot.

Sunday, November 29^th. Skating performance by the Providence/Pawtucket Precision Skating team, "Sheer Ice", and individual performances by the 1999 New England, Eastern and Junior Olympic Competitors, 2-3 PM.

For the November 24^th grand opening festivities, parking in a nearby parking area or garage is recommended. Exchange Street and Kennedy Plaza will be closed to traffic for the grand opening. After November 24^th, there will be a special drop-off area available to Fleet Skating Center patrons on Exchange Street.

The Fleet Skating Center features a full-service pavilion with ticket area, concessions offering light refreshments and non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks, party rooms for special events, and skate rentals for children and adults. The Center boasts 14,000 square feet of ice, more than double the size of Rockefeller Center’s rink in New York.

Public skating rates for the Fleet Skating Center are $3.75 for adults, and $2.75 for children under 12 and senior citizens. Skate rentals are available at an additional charge. The Fleet Skating Center will be open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM. For more information, call 331-5544.

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