Meet Kansas City Ice Skaters Keeping a Winter Tradition at Crown Center | KCUR

This story is part of an occasional KCUR series called The regularsabout Kansas City neighborhood hangouts and the patrons who bring them to life.

Nelly Quick and Laura Valdivia had only met in person the night they went skating at Crown Center Ice Terrace.

The two had planned a first date over coffee and Scrabble when the subject of ice skating came up.

“You said you were going to start classes,” Valdivia said. “Yeah, and then you’re like, ice skating, let’s do it,” Quick added.

Quick had never been to the ice terrace before, but Valdivia used to go growing up.

“My family and I came every year,” Valdivia said. “I actually have a nephew now, and we’re going to start this tradition again.”

Both men dressed warmly, each wearing jackets, hats and gloves, and rented skates from the establishment; Valdivia had to lace up Quicks for her.

For 52 years, visitors have flocked to Kansas City’s only public outdoor skating rink, opening November through March. This year, he ranked No. 5 in The USA Today list of the best ice rinks in the country.

The rink costs $9 for adults and children over four years old, but free for younger children. Skate rentals cost an additional $6, but some more experienced skaters may bring their own.

“Anyone can come, even if you don’t know what you’re doing,” Valdivia said. “But also, if you know what you’re doing, it’s no big deal. There will also be other people who know how to skate.

Connie Marzen, who teaches choir and orchestra at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Overland Park, has been taking her students to the Crown Center to sing and skate since 2002. One December evening, she stood and watched her 48 students from the side of the rink. .

“I skated once in my 20s,” Marzen said. “I’m afraid I’ll fall and break something.”

The less confident skaters huddled together, holding on to the wall and each other. However, most were bundled up in layers of warm clothing to cushion any fall.

Elimination was a common fear at the rink. For some people, like Marzen, that was enough to keep them away.

“When you fall, it really hurts. It really hurts. The ice is not very forgiving,” said Melissa Brough, who was supervising another excursion. “And of course you have to worry about someone running over someone.”

For others, like the Davis/Anderson family, the risk was worth it. All six go to the Crown Center every year to celebrate the holidays, but this was their first time ice skating there.

The two youngest sons, both in pajama pants, were confident on the ice.

“Everyone is standing. Our ankles hurt, but we didn’t fall,” said his son Isaac Anderson. “Yeah, no bloody noses,” added his father Brad Davis.

“The main reason is just to get out here as a family and spend some quality time together,” Isaac said. “And what better way to do it in season than ice skating?”

Kelli Davis, Isaac’s mother, visited the Crown Center when she was a child.

“I don’t remember it any differently from my childhood and I love it,” she said. “I feel like it brings back childhood memories.”

On a cloudy and cool Saturday afternoon, bad weather threatened to interrupt the outdoor festivities. But because the rink is covered, visitors continue to skate to the sound of Christmas music and old-timers playing over the speakers.

The ice rink towers 100 feet high The Mayor’s Christmas Tree and a Hallmark Holiday Pop-Up Market.

“It’s a beautiful scene skating here,” said Marcel Smith, who takes a loop around the rink with his eight-year-old daughter Victoria. He said he had been trying to convince her to try it for a while.

“It’s his first time,” Smith said.

Unfortunately for Connie Marzen, it was much colder the night she brought her choir students.

“I don’t know how much fun I’m having, because I’m freezing,” Marzen said. “But they’re having a good time!”

Quick and Valdivia, on their first date, weren’t as concerned about the cold. While the Zambonis finished resurfacing the rink, the two men laughed on a bench outside.

“It’s really, really pretty,” Valdivia said. “Yeah, very Christmassy,” Quick added. “And I like that it’s outside, like it’s really cold, but it feels like Christmas.”

The Crown Center ice terrace season will continue until March 9, 2025.

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