Columbus Blue Jackets Announce the Return of Winter Park and Outdoor Skating!
October 29, 2015
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today plans to host a month-long celebration of the winter season with Columbus Blue Jackets Winter Park presented by Worthington Industries at McFerson Commons, located across the street from Nationwide Arena, from Friday, January 22 through Sunday, February 21. The centerpiece of Winter Park will be the return of an NHL-sized ice rink that will be open for 31 days of public skating, hockey and a variety of community events.
“During last year’s NHL All-Star Celebration, the Blue Jackets All-Star Winter Park presented by Worthington Industries was a tremendously popular destination and we’re thrilled to once again have the enthusiastic support of our community leaders and corporate partners, led by Worthington Industries, to bring this unique attraction back to the Arena District,” said Blue Jackets Executive Vice President of Business Operations Larry Hoepfner. “Last year, we welcomed an estimated 40,000 visitors, which included more than 10,000 people who skated on the outdoor rink, and we look forward to sharing this very special experience with even more Blue Jackets fans, community neighbors and visitors again.”
Developed in conjunction with Columbus-based Marketing Activations Group, the Winter Park’s outdoor rink will be equipped with bleacher seating for approximately 500 people, a skate rental tent and four heated locker rooms. Admission to skate will be $5 and includes skate rental. A complete schedule of public sessions will be announced closer to the opening of the park.
“We are excited to be partnering again with the Blue Jackets on Winter Park,” said Cathy Lyttle, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for Worthington Industries. “Our employees, along with the thousands who visited last year, enthusiastically let us know they would welcome its return. We hope the expanded time period will allow even more residents and visitors to experience this popular downtown winter destination.”
In addition to skating activities at the rink and fire pits for gathering, Winter Park will also feature a large heated tent that will serve as the hub for weekend entertainment, food and beverage service and home to a Blue Jackets replica locker room. Another attraction will be a video board near the ice rink that will show Blue Jackets games on weekends. During the evenings, McFerson Commons and the nearby stretch of Nationwide Blvd. will be aglow as tens of thousands of lights will adorn the trees of the Arena District and welcome Winter Park visitors.
The opening weekend of Winter Park festivities will also include The 5th Line 5K Race presented by OhioHealth on Saturday, January 23. The 3.1-mile road race that starts and finishes outside Nationwide Arena is open to runners and walkers. For more information or to register for the race, visit www.The5thLine5K.com.
For more information on Columbus Blue Jackets Winter Park presented by Worthington Industries, visit www.BlueJackets.com/WinterPark. Future announcements regarding hours of operation, public skating schedules, entertainment programming and more will be forthcoming. 
The Blue Jackets return to action tomorrow night when they visit the Washington Capitals. Game time from Verizon Center is 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan, and online at BlueJackets.com.
Full and partial season tickets for the Blue Jackets’ 2015-16 campaign, as well as individual game tickets for home games at Nationwide Arena, are on sale now. Information on all ticketing options can be obtained by calling (800) NHL‐COLS or by visiting BlueJackets.com.
