Recreational skating surface returns to Patriot Place for a sixth season; Offers great way to mix fun and fitness through the winter months.

Outdoor ice skating, a time-honored tradition in New England, returns to Foxborough on Friday, Nov. 14, for the sixth season of Winter Skate at Patriot Place presented by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

The popular and publicly-accessible ice skating venue provides ideal outdoor entertainment for all ages throughout the winter months. The 60-by-140-foot, professionally-maintained ice surface is specifically designed for recreational skating and features an observation deck for non-skaters. The surface is large enough to accommodate beginners and experts alike, hockey and private events.
To celebrate the sixth season of Winter Skate, Patriot Place and partners Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Cradles to Crayons will offer free skating on Friday, Nov. 14, for anyone who donates a new or gently used coat donation for Cradles to Crayons. After Nov. 14, Winter Skate will continue to collect coat donations, as part of the Cradles to Crayons Coat Drive at Patriot Place. Patrons who donate will receive $2 off admission.

“We are delighted to again sponsor Winter Skate at Patriot Place,” said Eric H. Shultz, president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. “We are committed to encouraging local residents and their families to lead healthy, active lives, and there’s no better fresh air winter activity than ice skating outdoors.”

“Winter Skate offers such a unique outdoor experience for families to enjoy the winter months and has become a wonderful tradition at Patriot Place,” said Patriot Place General Manager Brian Earley. “We are very excited to continue our partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Cradles to Crayons as we open the outdoor rink for a sixth season and provide this activity to so many surrounding communities.”

Adding to this year’s opening day fun will be special performances by New England figure skaters Jamiesen Cyr, 12, and Tori Rotella, 13, at 5 p.m. Cyr will perform to a music medley from the movie, “Dreamgirls” and Rotella will perform to “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck. Cyr recently won the Juvenile Girls Silver Medal at the 2015 New England Regional Figure Skating Championships and will be representing New England later this month at the Eastern Sectional Championships with the goal of advancing to the National Championships in January. She is currently a member of Colonial Figure Skating Club in Boxborough, Mass. and began skating at the age of three with Warwick Figure Skaters.

Rotella has been skating since she was six years old and is currently a member of The Skating Club of Boston. She is a two-time New England Regional medalist, two-time Eastern Sectionals medalist and a two-time National competitor.

Additionally, opening night of Winter Skate will feature appearances by the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, team mascot Pat Patriot, the MIX 104.1 FM and 103.3 AMP Radio street teams and DJ Manny, who will be spinning music for guests from 6-9 p.m.

Winter Skate offers public skating Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 4-9 p.m.; Wednesday from 4-6 p.m.; Friday from 4-11 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Winter Skate will be open until late February. Concessions presented by Dunkin’ Donuts and bathrooms are available. Parking is free.
Standard skating price is $8 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and over. Harvard Pilgrim members receive $2 off admission by showing their membership card. On-site skate rentals are $4. Full season passes for families are $125.

Individual season passes are $75 for adults and $60 for children and seniors. Individual admission and season passes do not include skate rentals. Group rates, private events and hockey rentals are available by calling (508) 203-2100 or by email at WinterSkate@Patriot-Place.com.

Winter Skate is located at Patriot Place, adjacent to Route 1, near the Renaissance Hotel & Spa. It is steps from Patriot Place’s North Marketplace, which offers a wide variety of shopping and dining options, a 14-screen movie theatre and one of a kind attractions like The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon.

For more information, visit http://www.patriot-place.com/WinterSkate.

Winter Skate Schedule of Events (Friday, Nov. 14)

5:00 p.m. – Winter Skate opens with performances by New England figure skaters Jamiesen Cyr and Tori Rotella
5-8 p.m. – MIX 104.1 FM Street Team will be at Winter Skate
6-7 p.m. – AMP 103.3 FM Street Team will be at Winter Skate
6-8 p.m. – Patriots Cheerleaders and Pat Patriot make special appearance at Winter Skate
6-9 p.m. – DJ Manny will be at Winter Skate