Carmel, Noblesville plan improvements for public skating rinks

Carmel and Noblesville plan to debut improvements to their outdoor ice skating rinks when the facilities open on Nov. 17.

At the Ice at Center Green in Carmel, visitors will be able to reserve tickets and rent skates ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased online at TheIceAtCenterGreen.com. The website is live now and prepared to accept orders.

“This will cut down on the long lines at the admissions hut many visitors experienced last year during our inaugural season of ice skating,” Nancy Heck, Carmel's director of community relations and economic development, said in a media statement. “We also realize that sometimes we make last-minute choices to spend a night with friends and family, so we will also hold back a certain number (of) tickets for walk-up orders throughout the season.”

The rink will be open Wednesday through Sunday from Nov. 17 through Dec. 23. After Christmas, it will be open Thursday through Sunday from Dec. 26 through March 10.

Tickets this year will cost $9 per session for adults and $6 per session for children 10 and under, not including a processing fee ($1.35 for adults, $1.25 for children and $1 for skates) added to all payments. Skate rentals cost $3.

Meanwhile, at the Federal Hill Commons ice rink in Noblesville, the city is planning to increase the rink’s size by 30 percent to accommodate more visitors. In its debut last year, the rink was 50 feet by 80 feet. The city did not specify the expanded rink's dimensions.

The temporary ice rink will be open daily until Jan. 7, except on Christmas Day.

“We are expecting 10,000 skaters this season, and to accommodate the demand, the city has ordered a 30 percent larger rink,” Parks Director Brandon Bennett said. “Second-year events and activities at Federal Hill have had increased attendance, and the same is expected for the Noblesville Ice Plaza.”

Admission rates are $12 per session, which includes skate rentals.