Brenton Skating Plaza Completes Successful Winter Season, Events for Warmer Weather in the Works.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Due to warmer weather and a forecast for rain, Brenton Skating Plaza will close for the winter season this evening (Tuesday, March 20), with the final public skate taking place from 7:30-9p.m. This marks the end of a hugely successful first season, which attracted more than 32,000 skaters. Opening day for the 2007 - 2008 Brenton Plaza Skating season is scheduled for November 16, 2007.

Brenton Skating Plaza's planned activities through the Spring, Summer and Fall, include: Lunch/Concert Series, Saturday Night Dancing Under The Stars, Sunday Ice Cream Socials, Movie Nights, Children's Events and other special events. Brenton Skating Plaza will also be available for rental for corporate events, weddings, family reunions, etc. Interested groups should contact Brenton Skating Plaza at 515.284.1000.

The Winter Season Wrap Up

During its inaugural 18-week season, Brenton Skating Plaza became one of the most popular winter recreational locations in Des Moines, providing thousands of families, children and friends with a magical skating experience throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Iowa's unseasonably warm weather through much of the winter season established Brenton Skating Plaza as the only area rink consistently offering a place to play for outdoor skating enthusiasts and novices, alike. With its many hours of availability - open seven days a week, with an incredible 71 hours of open skate weekly - Brenton Skating Plaza is the only rink offering a wide variety of opportunities for people to skate which fits their busy family and work schedules.

Among the highlights of the Brenton Skating Plaza's first skating season:

* Opening Day, November 16, 2006

* Open House, December 12, 2006, hosted by the Principal Financial Group. Skating entertainment was provided by two local skating clubs - The Des Moines Figure Skating Club and The Capitol Ice Academy.

* A December visit by Yuriy Litvinor, a 1998 Olympic Competitor from Kazakhstan.

* The Plaza was open on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years' Day, providing hundreds of families the opportunity to enhance their holiday celebrations with the joy of skating.

* A January visit by the Des Moines Buccaneers delighted hundreds of children as they 'skated with the Bucs.'

* Over 40 birthday parties and six marriage proposals celebrated on the ice.

* Brenton Skating Plaza was the choice of 74 corporations, churches, schools, non-profits, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other groups looking for a unique, fun experience.

* Skaters ate 1,869 cookies and drank 4,844 cups of hot chocolate at the Brenton Skating Plaza.

"Brenton Skating Plaza would like to thank the Principal Financial Group, the City of Des Moines and the Brenton Family Foundation for their vision and support in ensuring this great addition to Downtown Des Moines and central Iowa," said Brenton Skating Plaza's General Manager Robbin McClelland. "Thank you to all of our customers. They made Brenton Skating Plaza a must see-and-do attraction, even waiting in line for the experience!"

Brenton Skating Plaza customers came from all over Iowa and as far away as Texas. McClelland also thanked "the many businesses and groups who promoted and/or rented Brenton Skating Plaza." Groups have already begun booking the ice rink for the 2007-2008 skating season. "We look forward to seeing you next year on ice. Until then, we hope you'll want to experience the fun events we have planned for the Plaza starting in May."

Background Information

Brenton Skating Plaza is a unique outdoor ice skating facility and family entertainment venue. Gifted by the Brenton Foundation, the facility is the first of its kind in the state of Iowa. Brenton Skating Plaza is located conveniently along The Principal Riverwalk on the Des Moines River waterfront. Stationed at 520 Robert D. Ray Drive, it's an integral part of the campaign to continue the reinvigoration of downtown Des Moines.

From November to March, the venue offers people of all ages the chance to ice skate in the open air, amid the snowflakes and under the stars. In the summer, the Brenton Skating Plaza transforms into an outdoor event center, playing host to community events, concerts, and other gatherings.