Outdoor ice rink debuts at The Grove
Bourbonnais, IL – The Village of Bourbonnais announces its mobile ice rink is ready to roll! “The Rink” will officially open Friday, November 29, with an “open skate” during The Grove hours of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Outside skates are welcome and a ticket is not required. The synthetic 73-foot by 50-foot outdoor rink is located at a new home this year at The Grove at Goselin Park 700 Main St. NW. “Open skate” times are Thursday through Sunday, weather permitting.
Beginning on Saturday, November 30, residents without skates can purchase $5 tickets online or in person for an hour on the ice and the fee includes skate rental.
Rental hours are available Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Here is the cool new 2024 ice schedule through the end of December 2024:
- Thursday - Sunday = Open Skate 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday Skate Rental Hours = 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Rink information and tickets can be purchased here.
“We look forward to The Rink’s debut at The Grove this holiday season and welcome all to enjoy the unique outdoor amenity,” stated Bourbonnais Mayor, Paul Schore.
“Residents who attend the village’s 4th annual ‘Rockin’ Around the Tree Lighting’ on Thursday, December 5, will enjoy The Rink for free during the event.
In September 2022, the village obtained $3 million in grant funding with the assistance of 40th District State Senator, Patrick Joyce, and 79th District House Representative, Jackie Haas, utilizing the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns & Main Streets grant program. Funds were invested in the 12.5-acre state-of-the-art Community Campus project steered by over 3,000 Bourbonnais residents.
The village purchased The Rink by securing a $50,000 grant from the Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau (KCCVB) through its Community Tourism Action Plan grants awarded in April 2023. Its pilot season occurred in winter 2023 ahead of the grand opening of The Grove in summer 2024.
“The Rink provides residents and visitors with an attraction that isn’t weather dependent,” explained Marketing & Public Engagement Manager, Lindy Casey.
“The past several winters we’ve not had enough consecutive below freezing temperatures to maintain our outdoor rink. The new mobile synthetic rink is a consistent solution. Have skates? Skate for free Thursday through Sunday during park hours. Don’t have skates? Rentals are available Saturday and Sunday for $5 at the designated times.”
