Mackay venue welcomes 20,000 ice skaters

Since opening on Boxing Day, nearly 20,000 skaters have been to the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) to experience the 'Ice City at the MECC' and try ice skating in the tropics.

MECC Manager Mark Fawcett explains that the temporary ice skating rink, a first for Mackay and one of the largest rinks ever assembled in Queensland "has been a phenomenal hit with the Mackay population and residents from the surrounding region.

"The fun that's been had, and the positive feedback we have had from community has literally been overwhelming.

"While we were quietly confident that our foray into ice skating would be popular, we never anticipated such a response.

"The rink has been operating at 85% capacity for the entire run, with many sessions sold out well in advance.

"People have travelled hundreds of kilometres to experience the ice, with many people in tropical Queensland never experiencing an ice rink before. The ice disco nights, with retro music, mirror balls, snowman building competitions and snowball fights sold out in advance, with the trip for two to Hayman Island donated by Harvey World Travel being awarded to the best ice disco couple this Friday night (20th January)."

The MECC has been mindful of its community service obligations, donating an evening skate session to the Mater Hospital Foundation as a fundraiser.

This event raised several thousand dollars for the Foundation and was highly valued by them. A very special all abilities session, conducted with the help of the Mackay PCYC and Sporting Wheelies saw over 200 people attend. Wheelchairs were allowed on the ice, and private tuition saw children with down syndrome skating.

Comments from the night included:
• "What a fabulous night. My 2½ year old little boy has Downs Syndrome and actually got to skate with the help of the Ice staking staff, they left their posts to fit shoes on him, and then gave us one-on-one assistance to get him going, I would never have through this possible."
•  "My major memory of the night is the smiles, now I have seen many of our differently abled community on numerous occasions, but last night the smiles on all the faces of, not only the prime participants, but the families and carers, was priceless.
• "It was truly and event the whole family could enjoy."

Sadly, Ice City at the MECC will close its doors after the final session at 8pm on Sunday 22nd January but 'Ice City II - The Return' will open in Mackay on Boxing Day, December 2013.

Fawcett adds that Ice City II will include "some new surprise features (and) is sure to make Mackay one of the coolest regional cities in Queensland!"

For more information go to www.mackaytix.com.au 

20th January 2012 - MACKAY VENUE WELCOMES 20,000 ICE SKATERS 

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2nd January 2009 - MACKAY CONVENTION CENTRE NEARS COMPLETION 

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