
Despite the cold weather, a group of skaters recently enjoyed the ice at Bryant Park's outdoor rink. Tom Hillgrove, president of Rink Management Services, described the rink as a well-oiled machine. On its busiest days, the rink sees over 5,000 skaters, according to an interview with Gothamist. Skaters, who pay around $20 or more for skate rentals, contribute to a revenue of $8.5 million in the 2022-23 season.
The Bryant Park Corporation, led by President Dan Biederman, relies on the ice rink, which is only open for four months each year but is expected to generate $10 million this season. While admission to the rink is free, many skaters, especially tourists during the holiday season, pay for skate rentals. Tom Hillgrove, who manages several rinks across the country, mentioned that the perfect day for skating is 40 degrees.
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park offers a range of seasonal attractions, including rinkside dining and Holiday Shops filled with gifts and treats. While the holiday market closed on January 5, the Winter Village will continue to operate and spread cheer until March 2, as reported by the official Website of the City of New York.
Bryant Park's winter operations are fully self-funded, with no public funding and no city fees, unlike Central Park's Wollman Rink, which is managed by Wollman Park Partners and pays over $3 million annually for its operations. The Bryant Park rink employs 220 locals each season, and Tom Hillgrove manages the operation for about $300,000, helping the park generate over $7 million in revenue. The earnings are reinvested into the community, funding programs like free lessons and games, contributing to the park’s cultural impact.