Newport Waterfront Events Announces Corporate and Community Support Critical to Collaborative Effort to Bring Back Newport Skating Center

NEWPORT, RI – Newport’s beacon for winter family fun could once again be lit up for the holidays as Newport Waterfront Events, a division of Waterfront Productions LLC, in collaboration with Scott’s Wharf LLC and Newport Harbor Corporation, announce that most of the key pieces are in place for the Newport Skating Center to return to its former downtown location at the Newport Yachting Center this upcoming winter season except for the corporate and community support necessary to finance the rink’s operations.  With this in mind, Newport Waterfront Events is seeking corporate sponsorships and direct business and private donations.  A crowd sourcing campaign has also been set up so the community can learn more and pledge funds via a link to Indiegogo.com on the skatenewport.com website.

Understanding the importance of the rink to the community, representatives of the three companies have had continuing discussions about a return of the rink since it was put on ice last winter due to the sale of the Newport Yachting Center by Newport Harbor Corporation to Scott’s Wharf.  In the spirit of cooperation, the Newport Harbor Corporation has agreed to donate the skating rink equipment and assets to Newport Waterfront Events while Scott’s Wharf is providing the Newport Skating Center’s former space at the Newport Yachting Center for the coming skating season.  Plans would be to have a full schedule of activities this coming winter, including Family Fun Nights, Skates with Santa, Learn to Skate camp, community partnerships with non-profit groups including the Boys & Girls Club and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and, of course, the grand opening and traditional Tree Lighting ceremony.

“I want to thank Newport Harbor Corporation and Scott’s Wharf for making the return of the rink for this upcoming season a distinct possibility,” said Michele Maker Palmieri, President and CEO of Waterfront Productions, the parent company of Newport Waterfront Events, and former General Manager of the Newport Yachting Center. “It is both exciting and comforting to know that the winter wonderland could return along with the vibrancy to downtown that the rink helps to create.  However, the final, critical piece to make this a reality is to garner financial support from corporate partnerships and the community to help fund the rink’s operations.  The rink operates at a loss annually due to the extensive expenses to maintain it.  In order for Newport Waterfront Events to take this on as a new company we need extra help this year.”

Corporate sponsorships that have been secured to date for the Newport Skating Center include: Cox, Stop & Shop, Viti Auto Group, Rob Levine & Associates and Think Thin.  The Newport Waterfront Events team is also busy speaking with additional companies who have supported the rink over the last 14 years.

“We are delighted that Waterfront Productions is working hard to bring back such an important winter tradition.  The City of Newport and our neighbors have been exceptionally welcoming since our purchase of the Yachting Center, and we look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of the community,” said Colin Kane, Principal of Scott’s Wharf LLC and Peregrine Group LLC.

“NHC is thrilled to be a part of the team effort to bring the skating rink back to downtown Newport,” said Paul O’Reilly, President & CEO, Newport Harbor Corporation.

Palmieri added that she could not guarantee that the Newport Yachting Center location will be a long-term solution for the rink but said this would be a first step towards the goal of realizing a permanent home for the Newport Skating Center.

The Newport Skating Center, which first opened in 2000, features a 9,000 square foot skating surface large enough to accommodate up to 100 skaters at a time.  Skate rentals, hot beverages, comfort foods, lighting for night skating, regular admission discounts, FREE parking and viewing spaces for the public are also featured at the rink.

Waterfront Productions LLC, headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island, specializes in event management/production and venue operation and is the parent company of Newport Waterfront Events and Rhode Island Waterfront Events.  The events Waterfront Productions owns and manages include the Great Chowder Cook-Off at Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island and the Waterfront Reggae Festival and the International Oktoberfest at India Point Park in Providence, Rhode Island.  The Waterfront Productions team has co-produced a variety of other events, including the Newport Comedy Series, the WBRU Concert Series at Providence Piers, the Food Truck Festival, the Newport International Boat Show and the Newport Charter Yacht Show, and offers event management consulting services.

For more information on sponsorship and donation opportunities please visit skatenewport.com, or contact Michele Maker Palmieri, President and CEO of Waterfront Productions LLC via email at mmaker@newportwaterfrontevents.com or call (888) 900-8640, Ext. 709.  Those interested can also “like us” at facebook.com/skatenewport.  Also follow newportevents on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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