Ice rink to be proposed for James Street Plaza.

James Street Plaza

Ice rink to be proposed for James Street Plaza.

LUDINGTON — The city’s downtown development office is proposing an ice rink at the James Street Plaza, according to an email sent to area businesses by Jen Tooman of that department. Tooman stated she was going to propose the idea to the Downtown Development Authority.

“The rink would be made of synthetic ice panels that can be used in any season,” she wrote, adding that a 20-feet x40-feet rink costs between $7,000 to $8,000.

“We are thinking it would be up in the plaza each year from November 1 through February 28. The rink would be located on the north side of the James Street Plaza near the restrooms and would be surrounded by our steel barricades for a fence. We could also bring the rink out for events like Friday Night Live and Octoberfest.

“This year, I’d like to have the rink up by Dec. 13 for the start of our 12 Days of Christmas Shopping promotion. Possibly as early as Small Business Saturday if we can pull it off.”

Tooman said she was proposing the rink would be purchased by selling 18 barricade cover sponsorships at $500 each.

“The cost of the barricade cover would come out of that amount. These covers would be on the barricades that create the fence around the rink.

“I think that an ice rink would be a great feature to have to draw people downtown during the off season. It’s also a great free activity for our local families. And possibly a business opportunity for a downtown business to rent out ice skates.

“I’d like to go to the board with a few potential sponsors that have already committed to show that there is interest. I want to offer those sponsorships to downtown businesses first.”

Tooman said she would make the proposal during the DDA’s Nov. 5 meeting, which begins at noon at city hall, 400 S. Harrison St.