Chicago Zoological Society & Chicago Wolves Unveil New, Temporary Skating Rink at Brookfield Zoo
Guests venturing out to Brookfield Zoo this winter can now lace up their ice skates. The Chicago Wolves and the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, are teaming up to unveil a new temporary addition to the zoo – a skating rink.
The 40-foot x 80-foot rink is located on the zoo’s East Mall and will be open daily from noon to 4:30 p.m. for zoogoers starting Saturday, November 3, and closing for the season January 27, 2019. Throughout the zoo’s Holiday Magic festival, which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays during December as well as on December 26-31, the rink will have extended hours from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Chicago Wolves to bring this exciting, new attraction to our guests,” CZS Chief Operating Officer Rich Gamble said. “The skating rink will be a great addition to the variety of winter activities taking place at Brookfield Zoo this holiday season, including the annual Tree Trim event and Holiday Magic festival, and the inaugural Reindeer Run and Lights & Lagers.”
The innovative Chicago Wolves Skating Rink is not made of ice, but of a synthetic plastic known as Glice®– a material composed of heat-pressed layers of polymers – so no water or electricity is required for operation. Brookfield Zoo joins Detroit Zoo and Columbus Zoo as the only zoos in the country to install a Glice® rink.
“It’s an honor to team up with Brookfield Zoo to give people the chance to enjoy something new for the holidays,” said Wolves President Mike Gordon. “We hope the opening of the Chicago Wolves Skating Rink marks the start of another must-do tradition for families throughout the Chicago area.”
The cost for unlimited time for all skaters on the rink is $7.00. A limited number of skates are available to rent for a $5.00 fee. Skaters are welcome to bring their own skates. For more information, visit CZS.org or call (708) 688-8000.
About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.
About the Chicago Wolves
The Chicago Wolves are proud to provide thrilling, affordable family entertainment for fans of all ages. The Wolves are four-time league champions -- winning the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup in 2002 and 2008 and the International Hockey League’s Turner Cup in 1998 and 2000 -- and more than eight million fans have enjoyed Wolves Hockey at Allstate Arena. The Wolves deliver a nationally renowned fireworks, pyro and laser show before every game, which sets the stage for the high-quality professional hockey and entertaining in-game promotions. As a team, the Chicago Wolves always strive to be the Last Team Standing – every day, every game and every season.
