Crews were busy this week setting up the Winterland ice rink at Heartwood Preserve near 145th and Dewey Avenue in West Omaha, with the outdoor attraction set to open its gates on Halloween. Skating is free, skate rentals are free, and anyone aged three and up is welcome on the ice once the rink opens Saturday and stays open into the new year.
The rink's return marks its earliest opening yet, as WOWT reports crews were still finishing preparations ahead of Saturday's debut. According to the station, above-freezing temperatures expected this weekend are not anticipated to be a problem for the ice. That's thanks to a 200-ton chiller capable of taking the ice down to 0 degrees, according to Sean Guard of Ice America, who spoke with the station about the equipment keeping the rink frozen despite the warmer air.
Free Skating, But Reservations Recommended
Visitors are supposed to sign up for a spot online before heading to the rink, per WOWT's reporting. Separately, an event listing from upcomingevents.com describes free 90-minute skating sessions with free skate rental, noting that reservations are recommended through the booking site while a limited number of walk-up skaters will also be accepted. That same listing says the rink can accommodate up to 120 skaters per session.
The Reader reports this marks Winterland's third season and its earliest opening date yet, with opening day running from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. this Saturday. The outlet similarly describes 90-minute sessions capped at 120 skaters, and notes that visitors can reserve a free session online up to two weeks in advance, with limited walk-up spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Reader also confirms the rink relies on a 200-ton chiller to keep the ice in shape throughout the season.
Schedule Shifts to Daily Skating Later This Fall
Per The Reader's account, skating will be available each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 22, when the rink transitions to a daily schedule. 3 News Now reports this is the first time the rink will open in October, attributing the earlier start to demand for an earlier season. The station also reports that holiday decorations will be added and family activities will be offered at the rink come December.
Sources differ on exactly how long Winterland will stay open this season. The upcomingevents.com listing states the rink will be open daily through Jan. 5, while 3 News Now reports Winterland is expected to remain open through Jan. 18. The listing also describes a run of holiday programming, including Friday DJ events, Saturday community performances, Sunday activities with Santa, and a Dec. 31 New Year's Eve skate party.
Addresses for the rink also vary slightly between sources. The upcomingevents.com listing places the rink at 301 N 145th Street in Omaha, while The Reader places Winterland within Heartwood Park at 301 S. 145th St. WOWT, for its part, describes the site more broadly as being near 145th and Dewey Avenue in West Omaha.
