Does 15000 sq feet of ice, chilled beer, fresh pizza and peppy music sound like funIJ This summer vacation, try ice skating and karaoking at iSKATE in Gurgaon. The ice rink is one of the biggest in India and offers a wide range of activities for children and adults alike, says Deebashree Mohanty
The ‘coolest’ place in town is here and it has something for everyone. There is entertainment, relaxation, groovy dhinchak music and delicious food under one roof. Not to forget the cool, cool climate inside the facility. Head to iSKATE in Ambience Mall, Guragon, for an out-of-the-world experience. “iSKATE started out as an alternative entertainment option for teenagers and young kids. We realised that there were very few recreational options for youngsters to indulge in. Apart from watching movies and hanging out at the malls, people had no place to go. The skating rink has given them an excuse to party and learn at the same time. It is becoming more and more popular,” Gautam Rai, the operations manager of this unique facility says. He tells you that since the inception of this place in 2011, there have been more than 1 million visitors.
“The best part is that we have visitors across all age groups who come here just to experience the thrill of skating on natural ice,” he tells you. So, you can see children as young as five-year-old trying their feet at this new game and someone who is in their 50s having a go at ice skating. “We have a medical room with a paramedic in attendance. Every minor cut or fall is taken care of within the facility itself,” the manager explains.
The rink also has a lounge where people can just sit back and relax. The intention, Rai insists, is to provide a holistic experience to customers — “They can enjoy our disco skating sessions, indulge in some yummy bites and sip chilled beer while the temperature soars outdoors,” he makes a strong point. The cafe situated on the top level, dishes out snacks items including freshly baked pizzas and pastas, burgers and grilled sandwiches. The home fries and walnut brownie is a must have for everyone who visits the rink at any time of the day. For people looking for more fun, there is a karaoke room as well. With many more added features, this place ensures that you are well entertained from 11-5!
Apart from the entertainment, the rink also boasts of many sports affiliations. iSKATE has affiliation with India Ice Hockey Association of India, Ice Skating Association of India as well as Special Olympics Bharat to encourage and promote winter sports. It is a venue for training and has also hosted several National level championships.
Not just the affiliations, the rink also offers tailor made sessions on ice skating and figure skating in groups as well as for individuals. The special training programme are being conducted in a controlled environment under the guidance of professional trainers from US, Canada, Russia as well as medal winners from the National Ice Skating Team such as Chanderbhan, Simrita Sahwney and Aashu Singh.
Rai tells you that maintaining the rink is a slight hassle but like everything else, even this has been taken care of. The facility has an in house chiller plant that operates 24 hours to make and maintain the ice through mechanical means. Additionally after every session, the ice is resurfaced to give the rink a smooth feel. The ambient temperature maintained at iSKATE also helps the ice to retain its form.