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Outdoor Ice Skating at Sandestin Save Email Print
Posted: 4:49 PM Nov 27, 2008
Last Updated: 8:23 AM Nov 28, 2008
Reporter: Alex Denis
Email Address: Alex.Denis@wjhg.com


A tree covered with ice is seen in Chenzhou in China's southern Hunan province Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. Workers rushed to restore power Tuesday to regions of China hard-hit by snow and ice storms, in a struggle that state media said has already cost the lives of 11 electricians. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

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When you think of recreation in Florida, ice skating usually isn't the first sport that comes to mind.

So, you might be surprised to know the village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin has opened the first outdoor ice skating rink in northwest Florida.

The rink seems to be a big hit, after spending a day out on the ice.

Both kids, and the kids at heart, enjoyed a day of winter sports right here in the village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin.

Outside, the weather reminded us of a breezy sunny day in Florida, but inside, skaters were whisked away to a winter wonderland.

Ice Skater Victoria Terry said, "Well, I never dreamed of it. When I go to Tennessee with my grandparents we usually skate at the skating rink there but I've never been skating here."

Skaters got the chance to test out their moves on the first outdoor ice skating rink in northwest Florida.

However, some kids say they weren't convinced that the ice would stay frozen.

Brynn Touchstone said, "I thought that the ice would melt."

So how do you keep an outdoor ice skating rink frozen in Florida? Some of the skaters we caught up with say it's all about the perfect temperature.

Jackson Shewmake said, “Um, 50 degrees. No like 50 degrees below."

Will Hobbs said, “I think it would be 2 below zero so it stays cold enough."

Matthew Touchstone said, “Ah, 150 degrees."

Others thought the right machine would do the trick.

Erica Skeel said, “It probably would be an underground freezer and the water would run into it and then they transfer it to snow and make it freeze."

Paris Martineau said, "They probably have some cooling system like a refrigerator. But it doesn't really matter as long as you can skate on it."

Admission is $10 per skater.

The ice skating rink will be open until February.

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Posted by: Diane Location: PCB on Nov 27, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Finally something for people to do....You Bay County should take some tips from Destin. You see...prices of things to do are geared towards tourist and your locals are forgotten. It's your locals who bring in your tourist, without us there would be no tourist season..this goes for the youth too. There is nothing for them to really do other than party and get in trouble. Maybe if families had things to do or kids had a nice safe place to be other than the influence of the beach and back wood parties or hanging out on the streets of PC, there would be less crime. But PC and PCB are to focused to think of anything but how can we bring in more tourist and forget who really works hard for Panama City and the beach... Bravo to you Destin, something as simple as a skating rink will bring many smiles...

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