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NederlandsSkating and more on an iconic square
Corneliusplatz is an iconic square on the much-visited Königsallee boulevard in Düsseldorf. Since as long ago as 1999, there has been the possibility of skating on the square in the winter months. However, last year, ice sports events agency DEG-Winterwelt decided to make it more striking. A larger surface area and a more original design were part of this plan.
The challenge
A striking 19th-century fountain is located in the middle of the square. Previously, this fountain was not part of the design of the skating rink, but in 2017 DEG-Winterwelt decided to change all that.
To achieve this, the new design had to contain a large cut-out for the fountain and the edges of the skating rink were to seamlessly tie in with the round forms of the fixed elements in the square. Our sales office in Germany, Ice-World Ice Business, effortlessly solved this challenge and created a design that accentuates the unique layout of the square: the new “ice fun park” consists of two ice rinks located left and right of the fountain, with a circular skating rink around the fountain serving as a connection between the two.
In addition to the skating rinks there are four parallel curling lanes where four groups can simultaneously play. The curling lanes were enthusiastically used by families, groups of friends and people on company trips: all four curling lanes were booked solid every evening.
This was the first mobile ice fun park in a German city centre and was therefore uncharted territory for DEG-Winterwelt. For this reason, Ice-World didn’t just handle the design, it created a total concept for the skating rink, all the way from design to build. Ice-World also provided service and support during the event, for example by offering extensive coaching to the ice masters.
- Three large skating rinks inter-connected around the fountain
- Video wall with live images of the skating fun and advertisements for companies, sponsors and entrepreneurs
- Surface area: 1,700 m²
- Complete winter world: chalets, catering and events
The result for the customer
Despite the rainy weather, the 70-day event was once again a great success. The number of visitors exceeded everyone’s expectations. Specifically, 220,000 visitors, of whom 50,000 actually put their skates on and took to the ice, visited the entertainment event, enjoying not only the ice, but also the delights on offer next to it. A variety of outlets offering snacks and beverages and an alpine cabin with a terrace not only ensured a high level of satisfaction among visitors, but also provided the required turnover for the customer.
A new tradition
The plan is to turn it into an annual event that will take place over at least the ten coming years. Every year, the event will grow in visitor numbers and thus make higher demands on the design of the skating rink. However, our experience and our focus on innovation give us great confidence for the future. This approach ensures not only great cooperation with customers, but also the ultimate experience for visitors.
Whether visitors lived nearby or had come from far away, atmosphere is a universal language that every visitor enjoyed speaking. They experienced the ice fun park as a unique place in the heart of Düsseldorf. Even large skating rinks like those in New York are nothing compared to the one set up for DEG-Winterwelt!