SPOKANE, Wash. — City crews have been focusing on safety and technology updates in preparation of the skate ribbon’s ice season beginning Saturday.
After an ammonia leak closed the ribbon early last season, crews have installed new piping and made adjustments to its pumps, Jon Moog, Director of Riverfront Park said.
“We feel the system is absolutely 100 percent, and we’re looking forward to seeing it operate again,” Moog said.
Just two months after its grand opening, a woman died on the ribbon after falling and hitting her head on the ice.
Moog said, this season, ribbon attendants are strongly encouraging skaters to wear helmets whenever they’re on the ice.
“We’ve really called that out more predominantly on our signage,” he said. “We’ve replaced all our signs to really highlight the fact that we want people to wear helmets.”
For beginner skaters, there will be free weekend lessons on the ribbon.
In addition to safety, the ribbon has received some smaller changes, like where the registers and skate pickup will be.
Moog said this is just for visitors to be able to enjoy more of the patio space.
Crews are expecting the ribbons to be open for its full season, through March or when warmer temperatures start to melt the ice.
Until then, Moog said crews will be closely monitoring the rink after snowfalls.
“We want to make sure there’s a balance between making sure the ice is open for the community to use, but also knowing when we have to get in there and clear the snow,” he said.
For those with season passes, the ribbon will be open on Friday. For general admission, it opens Saturday at 11 a.m.