The Nîmes ice rink is popular with families, especially during the school holidays. Nîmes doesn’t seem to regret the ephemeral Christmas ice rink, canceled this year.
The temperatures in this first week of winter are abnormally mild for the season. However, some people wore hats and thick coats, to adapt to the artificially produced winter cold at the Nîmes ice rink, located next to the Marcel Rouvière stadium. “We came on purpose to bring some cold to Nîmes!” jokes Magalie, a tall woman with laughing eyes, from Calvisson.
Finding the seasonal temperatures again as Christmas approaches, while having fun, is the desire of many visitors this Thursday 22 December: “We are in winter, it’s a bit of a spirit”. smiles Stéphanie, 15 years old, coming for the first time with two friends.
No regrets about the Maison Carrée ice rink
Among those questioned, no one regrets the ephemeral ice rink, canceled this year due to energy cost and environmental impact issues. “Ecologically, it’s better.” says Alain, who came with his little Matt and his wife Nathalie, who adds: “I didn’t agree with the idea of placing an outdoor ice rink in Nîmes”. The same goes for Magalie, la Calvissonnaise: “We’re not in an area to have an outdoor track.”
Ecological issues aside, skaters prefer this frozen arena for practical reasons. “The one in the Maison Carrée was nice, but we prefer it here.” Trackside, Sarah and Zineb list the downsides of the inner-city track: “Too small, too many people.”
Skaters benefit from almost 1500 m2 of ice surface.
These young girls can easily skate on this Thursday afternoon: just 200 people skate on an area of 1456m2. A rather quiet day compared to the day before, when the maximum capacity of 400 people would have been reached.
If the Christmas holidays are the time of year when there are more people on the track, Nicolas Rainville specifies that today there is no visible increase in attendance compared to 2021″. There is nothing sensitive to indicate an influence of the cancellation of the ephemeral ice rink.” The audience is not the same, according to the elected official: “In the city centre, families take advantage of a moment, walking or Christmas shopping”.
Times and prices
During the holiday season, the ice rink (140 Avenue Georges Dayan) is open Tuesday to Friday from 2.15pm to 7.30pm, Saturday 2.15pm to 5pm then 6pm to 8.30pm, Sunday from 2.15pm Closed on 25 December and 1 January. On Saturdays 7 and 28 January and 18 February it will close at 5 pm, on the occasion of the third division ice hockey championship. Prices for adults: €5 or €8 with skate hire. Rates for children (up to 14 years): €3.50 or €6.50 with rental. Group rates and season tickets are also offered.
