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Outdoor Ice Rink at centre of Rotorua mid-winter festival

Tuesday 12 June 2012, 2:58PM

By Rotorua District Council

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ROTORUA

The boiling mud pools and steam clouds of Rotorua aren't normally what you might associate with an outdoor ice-skating rink, but for four weeks during June and July that is exactly what will be making its home on the Village Green at the Rotorua Lakefront.

The Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink is part of the Fire and Ice Rotorua Mid-Winter Festival and will be located on the Village Green from Saturday 16 June until Sunday 15 July.

The Mid-Winter Festival is supported by Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust and the Rotorua District Council's events team at Events and Venues.

Rotorua District Council's major events co-ordinator, Kylie Lang, says the ice rink and mid-winter festival are exciting additions to Rotorua's winter calendar of events.

"There has been a huge range of activities underway in Rotorua in recent weeks and months, including the successful 3D Multisport Festival, Rotorua Blues Festival and Targa Rally," says Ms Lang.

"The Fire and Ice Mid-Winter Festival and the Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink mean that this range of activities will continue throughout June and July, with an array of quality events to suit every age-group.

"The Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink is going to be something unique and special for Rotorua. It is the first time that an ice rink like this has come to Rotorua and its a great opportunity for people to give ice skating a go."

Ms Lang says the ice rink will be open from 9am until 9pm daily. Entry will be $20 for adults, $15 for a child and student, and $50 for a family. A 'locals' discount will also be available. Skate hire is included in the entry fee.

The ice rink is 35 metres by 15 metres big and takes three days to build and freeze. The rink uses 45,000 litres of water, which is frozen at a temperature of -14 degrees.

"We will be at the Rotorua Night Market for the next three weeks to promote the Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink and the Fire and Ice Mid-Winter Festival, and people will be able to enter a draw to win free tickets to the ice rink."

Other Fire and Ice Rotorua Mid-Winter Festival events include a Matariki night market, an Undies Dash and Splash running race, the Dunk for Life fundraising event at the Blue Lake, the Ring of Fire mountain bike race and a spectacular fireworks and laser light display on the Village Green on Thursday July 5.

Ms Lang says the Fire and Ice Blaze Night on July 5 will feature the Sulfur City Steam Rollers roller derby team, fire performers - including fire poi, fire eating and fire breathing, and ground level fireworks with a laser light show.

"This will be a fantastic evening of events for young and old, and it is free so that anyone and everyone can come along."

The role of the Events and Venues Rotorua Community and Major Events Group is to attract, deliver and support top-quality events which can be experienced by locals and visitors alike.

"Individual and festival events like this make a significant contribution to the local economy - and to Rotorua's local lifestyle.

"Events attract visitors to Rotorua, who spend money on food, accommodation and activities. But just as importantly, events like these make a lifestyle contribution to our local communities, providing quality activities and attractions for Rotorua's residents to experience and enjoy.

"Experience Rotorua and experience our great events."

Ms Lang says the Mid-Winter Festival may become an annual event on the Rotorua Events Calendar, depending on the success of this year's event.

For further information about these specific events or all other events in Rotorua, go to www.rotoruanz.com/events