Meet the Kansas City ice skaters keeping a winter tradition alive at Crown Center | KCUR

This story is a part of an occasional KCUR collection known as The Regulars, about Kansas Metropolis’s neighborhood hangouts and the shoppers who convey them to life.

Nelly Fast and Laura Valdivia hadn’t met in particular person till the night time they went skating on the Crown Middle Ice Terrace.

The 2 had deliberate a primary date of espresso and Scrabble when the subject of ice skating got here up.

“You stated you’re gonna begin classes,” Valdivia stated. “Yeah and then you definitely’re like, ice skating — let’s do it,” Fast added.

Fast had by no means been to the Ice Terrace earlier than, however Valdivia used to go rising up.

“My household and I used to come back yearly,” Valdivia stated. “I even have a nephew now, and we’re gonna be beginning that custom up once more.”

The pair dressed warmly, every in jackets, hats, and gloves, and rented skates from the power; Valdivia needed to lace up Fast’s for her.

For 52 years, guests have taken to the ice at Kansas Metropolis’s solely public out of doors ice skating rink, which opens in November all the best way into March. This 12 months, it ranked No. 5 in USA In the present day’s listing of one of the best ice skating rinks within the nation.

The rink is $9 for adults and kids over the age of 4, however free for youthful youngsters. Renting skates is one other $6, however some extra skilled skaters can convey their very own.

“ Anybody can come, even when you do not know what you are doing,” Valdivia stated. “But additionally, if you happen to do know what you’re doing, that’s OK. There can be different individuals who really can skate, as properly.”

Connie Marzen, who teaches choir and band at Holy Spirit Catholic College in Overland Park, has been taking her college students to Crown Middle to sing and skate since 2002. On one December night, she stood and watched her 48 college students from the facet of the rink.

“I’ve skated one time in my 20-something years,” Marzen stated. “I am afraid I am gonna fall and break one thing.”

The much less assured skaters caught collectively, holding on to the wall and one another. Nevertheless, most had been so bundled in layers of heat garments to cushion any fall.

Wiping out was a typical worry on the rink. For some folks, like Marzen, it was sufficient to maintain them sidelined.

“While you fall, it positively hurts. It positively hurts. The ice is just not very forgiving,” stated Melissa Brough, who was supervising one other subject journey. “And naturally it’s important to fear about any person operating over any person.”

For others, just like the Davis/Anderson household, the chance was value it. The six of them go to Crown Middle yearly to rejoice the vacations, however this was the primary time that they had really ice skated there.

The 2 youthful sons, each in pajama pants, had been assured on the ice.

“Everybody’s upright. Ankles are sore, however we haven’t fallen,” son Isaac Anderson stated. “Yeah, no bloody noses,” added his dad Brad Davis.

“The principle cause is simply to get out right here with household and spend some high quality time collectively,” Isaac stated. “And what higher means to do this when it is in season than ice skating?”

Kelli Davis, Isaac’s mom, used to go to Crown Middle as a child.

“ I do not keep in mind it any in a different way from my childhood, and I like that,” she stated. “I really feel prefer it brings again the childhood reminiscences.”

On a cloudy, chilly Saturday afternoon, dangerous climate threatened to halt the skin festivities. However because the ice rink is roofed, guests proceed to skate as Christmas music and oldies play over the loudspeakers.

The rink overlooks the 100-foot tall Mayor’s Christmas tree and a Hallmark vacation market pop-up.

“It’s an attractive scene to be out right here ice skating,” stated Marcel Smith, who loops across the rink along with his eight-year-old daughter Victoria. He stated he’s been attempting to persuade her to attempt it out for some time.

“It is her first time,” Smith stated.

Sadly for Connie Marzen, it was a lot colder the night time she introduced her choir college students.

“I do not understand how a lot enjoyable I am having, as a result of I am freezing,” Marzen stated. “However, they’re having a good time!”

Fast and Valdivia, out on their first date, didn’t thoughts the chilly as a lot. Whereas the Zamboni completed resurfacing the rink, the pair sat laughing on a bench outdoors.

“It is simply actually fairly,” Valdivia stated. “Yeah, very Christmassy,” Fast added. “And I like that it is open air, prefer it’s actually chilly, however it looks like Christmas.”

The Crown Middle Ice Terrace season will proceed to run till March 9, 2025.

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