Elevance Health Rink on Bicentennial Unity Plaza is transforming into a wonderland right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis for the second consecutive year! The rink opened on Friday, Nov. 22, just in time for the holiday season, and included appearances by Pacers mascot Boomer, Fever mascot Freddy Fever, the Pacemates, a DJ, and more.
“When we built Bicentennial Unity Plaza, we created a backdrop for visitors and residents to make new unforgettable memories right in the heart of our downtown,” said Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines in a recent press release. “Last winter, we welcomed thousands of ice skaters to the Plaza, and we look forward to building on that success again this year.”
Here are six things to do (and see!) on the plaza at Elevance Health Rink, open through January 26, 2025.
1. It’s time to lace up your skates and learn something new this holiday season. Have you wanted to learn to ice skate or play (ice) bocce? Now is your chance! Ice skating and ice bocce lessons are available on Mondays and Tuesdays, and lessons start at $150 for six weeks.
2. In addition to ice skating, visitors and skaters can enjoy a variety of food and beverages, their signature tree and festive décor, photo ops, and holiday cheer on Bicentennial Unity Plaza. Fun theme nights will also be announced soon.
3. When you visit the Plaza, you can also visit Santa Claus! Santa will be on the plaza on December 8, 2024, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. for a festive afternoon of family fun.
4. You (literally) can’t miss the two outstanding works of public art that animate the plaza. The Unity name of the plaza inspired the concept of ‘Together,’ a monumental stainless-steel arch conveyed as two outstretched cantilevered forms reaching towards each other – a reference to the Kennedy King Memorial in Indianapolis. The 125-foot span is also a gateway to concessions and a public basketball court and skating rink on the doorstep of the Fieldhouse. A second installation conceived and fabricated by Eventscape called ‘Sphere’ features a 24-foot-high dome with openings into an immersive video environment with interactive possibilities. Together, these sculptures have a powerful presence that embraces community and celebration in this new urban space.
5. Want to conduct a meeting, team-building exercise, or celebration like no other? Look no further than the Bicentennial Unity Plaza. The plaza is available to rent—and free for nonprofits. And you can rent the rink on Mondays and Tuesdays, too! People interested in renting the Elevance Health Rink or the plaza can submit information at gainbridgefieldhouse.com/about/book-gainbridge-fieldhouse.
While walk-up, in-person purchases are possible based on availability, online reservations guarantee a place on the ice for a 90-minute session. To reserve an ice-skating session, visit www.gainbridgefieldhouse.com/iceskating. Skates and skate aids are available for rent. For questions, please call (317) 917-2757 during normal skating hours.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Elevance Health Rink is open from now through Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. Hours are as follows:
- Monday and Tuesday: Available for private rentals or ice bocce play
- Wednesday and Thursday: 3:30-9 p.m.
- Friday: 3:30-11 p.m.
- Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
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