Published: May 15, 2008 11:41 pm            

Galleria ‘ice’ to open Saturday

The Galleria has announced that it will serve as the site for the first synthetic ice rink in the eastern U.S.

Syn-Ice will construct its nonrefrigerated ice skating rink on the lower level of The Galleria across from the Bon-Ton near the Deb Shop and Auntie Anne’s.

The rink, which will open to the public on Saturday, also will serve as a showcase model of the product for the company.

The rink surface is made from a specially formulated plastic and is skated on with regular ice skates.

The only maintenance is the application of a spray at the end of each business day, eliminating the need for the Zambonis used to resurface traditional ice rinks.

“We’re so excited to welcome Syn-Ice to the Johnstown Galleria,” said Sam Zamias, CEO of mall owner Zamias Services Inc.

“We know it will be a value enhancement to the Johnstown Galleria and that our shoppers will embrace Syn-Ice as part of our growing mix of entertainment. ... The addition of Syn-Ice will affirm that for shoppers, both returning and new.”

The project is backed by local businessmen Paul McGuigan and Dave Horten, who are distribution partners. McGuigan is also co-owner of the company, which has headquarters in Michigan and Canada. Its manufacturing facility is in Scranton.

“We got the location we wanted, and it’s the first in the area,” McGuigan said. “Now we’re looking at Pittsburgh. We wanted to focus first on Pennsylvania because we’re manufacturing it here. Then we’re going to turn our attention to New York and New Jersey.”

The deal the company signed with the Richland Township mall is for three months. McGuigan said the contract has an option to extend the stay if all goes well.

“We expect things will go just fine,” McGuigan said. “We think this will be a long-term engagement. We would like to keep it in the community and use it as a permanent facility.”

The facility will be open to the public seven days a week during regular mall hours.

The cost to skate is $8 including skate rental or $6.50 with your own skates.

        

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