Winter Skate at Patriot Place Opens Nov. 13

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For the seventh consecutive year, Patriot Place and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care will team up to welcome the winter season with the time-honored tradition of outdoor ice skating with the opening of Winter Skate at Patriot Place presented by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care on Friday, Nov. 13. Opening at a new location this season, the popular outdoor and publicly-accessible ice skating venue can be found outside of CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar.

To celebrate the seventh season of Winter Skate, Patriot Place and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care will offer free skating on Friday, Nov. 13, to anyone who laces up their skates for a good cause by donating a new or gently used coat or a pair of hat and gloves to Cradles to Crayons. After Nov. 13, Winter Skate will continue to collect coat and sets of hats and gloves donations, as part of the Cradles to Crayons Coat Drive at Patriot Place. Patrons who donate will receive $2 off admission.

“Winter Skate offers families a great way to mix fun and fitness while providing ideal outdoor entertainment for all ages through the winter months,” said Patriot Place General Manager Brian Earley. “We are thrilled to team up with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to provide this activity to so many surrounding communities and cannot wait to celebrate our seventh opening on Nov. 13.”

“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.”

Adding to this year’s opening day fun will be a special performance by Foxborough figure skater Kara Gill at 5 p.m. and an appearance by the Boston Blades women’s ice hockey team and the Clarkson Cup during this year’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the conclusion of Gill’s performance. The Blades defeated the Montreal Stars, 3-2 in overtime, in the Clarkson Cup women’s hockey championship in March 2015. The win is the team’s second Canadian women’s hockey league championship and first since 2013.

Gill, a seventh grader at Foxborough’s Ahern Middle School, skates for both the United States Figure Skating Association and Ice Skating Institute clubs and will make her Winter Skate debut. She has been skating since preschool, starting with Learn to Skate classes at the local rinks in Foxborough and Walpole. Over the last five years, Gill has skated in several competitions, including the 2015 ISI District 1 Championships. The Winter Skate ice opens for public skating at 5:15 p.m. and music will be provided throughout the night. Additionally, opening night of Winter Skate will feature appearances by the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, team mascot Pat Patriot and the MIX 104.1 FM and 103.3 AMP Radio street teams.

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.

Winter Skate offers public skating Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4-6:30 p.m.; Tuesday from 4-5:30 p.m.; Friday from 4-11 p.m.; Saturday and all school holidays 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.

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

Winter Skate Schedule of Events (Friday, Nov. 13)

4-6 p.m. – MIX 104.1 Street Team appearance

5:00 p.m. – Winter Skate opens with a performance by Foxborough figure skater Kara Gill

5-7 p.m. – Boston Blades and Clarkson Cup appearance

5-7 p.m. – Pat Patriot and Patriots Cheerleaders appearance

5:05 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

5:15 p.m. – Winter Skate opens to the public

6-8 p.m. – AMP 103.3 Street Team appearance