BETTENDORF, Iowa — Editor's note: The video attached originally aired on Oct. 14.
Halloween is over, the weather is getting chillier and Christmas lights are starting to dazzle across the region as we approach the holiday season.
And a brand new amenity is opening in Bettendorf just in time. The City announced The Landing Ice Rink will be opening on Sunday, Dec. 15.
The rink is a permanent replacement for the city's temporary Frozen Landing Family Ice Rink. It will be 40%, or 4,000 square feet, larger than its predecessor and will be located at 2255 Middle Road.
It's all part of a nearly $20 million project called The Landing, located at the corner of Middle Road and 23rd Street in Bettendorf. Construction began in May 2023.
Once completed, the area will not only have an ice rink but also a brand new water park, swimming pool and five outbuildings for the aquatic building. Inside, you'll find climate-controlled restrooms, concession stands and warming areas, as well as outdoor gas firepits with seating.
Greg Samms is a city coordinator who managed the beloved Frozen Landing ice rink, which averaged 14,000 visitors each season. He's sad to see the old rink go, but excited to see the community hit some fresh ice.
"The most important priority [is to create] a place for kids in the neighborhood to come to," Samms said. "This is centrally located. You will be able to come on a short little car trip or some people walk. There are limited things that are affordable to do in the wintertime, and this is something that fits right into that category of recreational activities in the winter. This is something you can depend on, that will be open."
The Landing Ice Rink will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, which is also World Ice Skating Day. A ribbon cutting and tree lighting ceremony will be held the next day, Dec. 16, at 4 p.m.
Following its opening day, The Landing Ice Rink will be open Monday through Thursday from 4-9 p.m., on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for all ages. If you need to rent skates, that will be an additional $3. More information can be found here.
City officials said they sold the portable ice rink to a new owner in Florida for $38,000. The City of Bettendorf is looking to hire ice rink attendants and clerks for the 2024-25 season. You can find more information here.