In a first for South African, this fully mobile, 200m² instant ice rink is encapsulated by a 25 meter long by five meter high inflatable cube-like structure, offering a proper ice skating experience to visitors over the festive season.

Manufactured by Holland-based Ice-World, this is an innovative and real ice solution to the more commonly found temporary synthetic skating rinks at a number of entertainment venues across the country. These rinks are constructed from hard polymer material designed for metal blade skates.

Kreate Events, in collaboration with Inflate Africa, has secured the license to set up and operate this exciting ice rink at the V&A Waterfront for the duration of the festive season.

Donovan Everitt of Kreate Events says the clever use of technology combined with relatively simple construction materials allows the complete set-up of a frozen, ready-to-skate rink in just 24 hours. He explains, “The base of the ice rink is constructed of a series of fold-out aluminium elements that click together quickly and easily.

“Aluminium is an excellent cold conductor,” Everitt explains. “It transfers cold much faster and more directly to the ice floor, making it virtually immune to even the least ideal of weather con¬ditions. This, combined with the fully adjustable cooling equipment according to energy requi¬rements, results in quick energy transfer and guarantees perfect ice under nearly all conditions,” he explains.
All boarding and pipework will be well protected and safely frozen into the solid ice surface. Powering the unit is a 300KW chiller and two 200KVA generators and pump which are contained at the back of the structure within a secure, fenced-off area.
According to the manufacturers, this particular design is 40% more energy-efficient than similar rinks elsewhere in the world, and has an ISO 14001 certification.

Chantelle Kidd, executive manager for strategic marketing at the V&A Waterfront says, “The ice-rink is a key element of the V&A Waterfront’s traditional Christmas experience offering this year.”

“We were looking for that real traditional Christmas experience,” she says. “The ice rink is the perfect addition to the already large number of family-orientated festive activities planned for the V&A Waterfront this festive season, and is guaranteed to capture the imagination of young and old.”

A large section of overflow parking is currently being converted into the ice rink. This area is located on Breakwater Boulevard, outside the Mugg & Bean restaurant at Victoria Wharf shopping centre.

The ice rink will be open to public from 10 December 2010 till 16 January 2011 and will operate from 10:00 to 22:00 daily.

“The safety of our skaters is paramount,” Kidd says. “ER24 will have a 24/7 emergency services facility at the V&A Waterfront for the duration of the festive season. Skating assistants will be available to offer skating instruction to beginners, or provide assistance to more experienced skaters,” she says. Special children’s skate-aids and other activities will attract and entertain skaters of all ages.

“Evening sessions will become an attraction in its own right,” says Kidd. “The inflatable cube comes to life at night, featuring impressive state-of-the-art, sound sensitive LED lighting and projection effects. Themed evenings and a line-up of live DJs, ice-artists and other entertainment offerings suitable for the whole family are set to create huge attraction,” she says.

Seating is available to spectators and a comprehensive food and beverage offering inside the facility will keep skaters and onlookers refreshed.

The rate per hour is R50 per person between 10:00 and 19:00, and R70 per person between 19:00 and 22:00. Spectators can also enjoy some of the action for R10 per hour per person.

The facility also takes bookings for children’s and year-end parties. Special group and family passes will be available, as well as ‘Super-Skater’ discount packages.

The Ice Rink is included in the V&A Waterfront’s Fun-Seekers Package at R195 for adults and R125 for children aged four to 12 years (free for children under four). This package includes access to the rink, the Wheel of Excellence, the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship and the Chavonnes Battery Museum.