Temporary Ice Skating Rink Coming to Mobile and Causing Controversy

The Mobile City Council approved the construction of a temporary outdoor ice skating
rink on Sept. 22. The project, Mobile Riverside on Ice, is set to be open from Nov. 14 until Jan.
12 downtown on the Mobile River.
The project is expected to bring in revenue for the city of Mobile after a successful fiscal
year, leaving a projected 7.6 million surplus for 2016. According to AL.com, His (Mayor Sandy
Stimpsons) administration is requesting the council approve a $132,350 contract to rent the rink
and ice maintenance equipment from Florida-based Magic Ice USA, Inc.
According to councilman Joel Davis of District 5, At least fifty percent (of the funds for
this project) comes from private funds, so if we get enough skaters down there, we would cover
the other fifty percent.
Councilman Frederick Richardson agrees, There is a great possibility that we might do
better than break even because of sponsorships.
The council members in support of the rink express their belief that citizens will flock to
the new recreation especially since Mobile does not have any ice skating facilities. According to
Statista, in 2013, the number of ice skating participants (aged six years and older) in the United
States amounted to approximately 10.68 million.
Another consideration is the amount of jobs that the ice rink would create during the
upcoming holiday season. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were
approximately 1,136,000 workers employed in the recreation and leisure entertainment industries
in 2008, a number of whom own and operate skating rinks. Mobile Riverside on Ice would have
to employ citizens to run and maintain the temporary ice skating facility.

However, the building of a recreational skate rink in Mobile still raises concerns among
both citizens and council members. A citizen spoke up during the council meeting to express her
disdain: After the hottest time of the year, were considering an ice rink. I cant imagine how
much it will cost to keep the ice cold. The woman folded up her yellow notebook paper and
stared at the council members for a moment before finally returning to her seat.
Citizen concerns, like the woman mentioned, play a large role in council members
decision-making process. Councilwoman Bess Rich explained that she cannot support the project
as a result of her constituents disapproval.
Councilman C.J. Smalls of District 3 agrees with Rich and explains his negative vote: I
have kids flipping tires in parks because there is no playground equipment, so I cannot approve a
temporary ice rink. Smalls and Rich did not support the ice rink because of their belief that the
funds should be allocated elsewhere.
The project received a 5-2 vote, approving the future of this project.
The city council also amended the budget for the year, addressed the future of Mobile,
and made plans to compensate for BayFest.
Several amendments were made, such as adding funds to the Mobile Convention Center
and the Parks and Recreation department. Each departments goals were met, at least partially.
Joel Davis, finance committee chair, states, In the end we all have to come up with a budget we
can live with. Based on the unanimous vote to approve the new budget, the council can live with
the new budget.

Councilman Richardson says, For the first time in Mobiles history, council members
have 3 million each to spend in their councils. The budget elicited a positive response, even
clapping, from the council and citizens.
The budget is one sign of Mobiles growing development, just as Airbus opening of
facilities in Mobile is a sign of prosperity. Mobile is Airbus first American destination, causing
much attention for the city. Mayor Sandy Simpson says, Everyone opened the New York Times
and saw a feature on the rise of Mobile. The New York Times article, First U.S. Airbus Factory
Gives Wings to Revival in Mobile, Ala. discusses how Airbus is bring both excitement and jobs
to Mobile. Whole Foods is another major company that recently invested in Mobile with the
opening of their new store on Sept. 22.
The council addressed the sudden withdrawal of BayFest and announced that a free
concert will be provided in its place. This doesnt need to be a one-time event. The organization
wants it four to five times a year making sure we fill the void from BayFest, says Stimpson.
2016 is set to be an exciting year for the future of Mobile. (Mobile is) No longer a city of
potential progress. It is a city on the move, Stimpson states.