The site has been under construction since April, but workers aren’t worried about finishing in time for the rink opening next Friday, November 15.
“That’s how it works, it doesn’t look like anything for a while and then it suddenly appears,” a worker said.
The owner of Pentagon Row announced this morning that major renovations to the shopping center’s plaza are now underway.
The renovations, approved by the Arlington County Board last March, will include an expanded ice rink during the winter, a turf lawn during the summer, revamped outdoor dining areas, 1,500 square feet of new retail and dining space, lighted water fountains and a stone fire pit.
Water Change Underway — The annual, temporary switch from chloramine to chlorine as the tap water disinfectant is beginning, as part of a flush of the water system. During this time, Arlington residents may notice a change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. The water system’s “spring cleaning” is scheduled to run through April 29. [Arlington County]
Ballston Garage to Get $3.5 Million in Repairs — The Arlington County Board on Saturday awarded a contract of up to $3.5 million for structural repairs to the eighth level of the Ballston Public Parking Garage. The eighth level of the garage was added in 2006, but the concrete was found to be deficient for long-term use — prompting claims that resulted in the county settling with the original contractor for an undisclosed sum. Kettler Capitals Iceplex, which is located on the top level of the garage, will remain open during the construction, which is expected to take 5-6 months. [Sun Gazette]
Here is a sampling of some of the more unique ways to treat your Valentine:
Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington held its annual Chanukah on Ice celebration at Pentagon Row Sunday night.
The event included ice skating, kosher hot dogs, hot latkes, a free raffle and a figure skating performance. There was also a ceremonial Menorah lighting.
In a sure sign of the season, ice skating has started at Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street).
The outdoor shopping center’s ice rink opened on Friday and will remain open every day — including holidays — through March 18. The rink opens at noon on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. on weekends. It closes at 10:00 p.m., except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it closes at 11:00 p.m. Holiday hours vary.
The event is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 4:00 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Road) in Ballston. Among those scheduled to perform are recognizable national skating champions like Brian Boitano, Ashley Wagner, Ryan Bradley, Kimmie Meissner, Mirai Nagasu, Michael Weiss, Steven Cousins, and Richard Dornbush.
The ice show (and a silent auction of skaters’ personal memorabilia at the event) benefits Weiss’ nonprofit, the Michael Weiss Foundation, which provides financial support for skaters with Olympic potential who need help paying for things like coaching, choreography, costumes, music editing and tutoring. The foundation is currently sponsoring 22 potential future skating stars.
Outdoor ice skating may not be the most popular recreation activity in 70 to 80 degree sunny weather, but the Pentagon Row ice rink is still open for business should anybody want to try their luck on the wet ice.
The rink had a thin layer of water on top of it when we stopped by around lunchtime today. No one was skating, but plenty of people were eating their lunch outside around the plaza.
On Saturday the Arlington County Board approved a plan to expand the size of the Pentagon Row skating rink while extending the length of time the rink is allowed to be open.
Under the approved site plan amendment, the privately-owned rink will be expanded by 40 feet — to 57 by 120 feet — and the rink will remain open for an additional month, opening in October instead of November. The rink will continue to operate through March.
During its meeting on Saturday, the County Board is expected to vote on the proposed revamp of the central plaza at Pentagon Row.
The proposal includes plans to expand the length of the ice rink by 40 feet, add synthetic turf and add two 800 square foot freestanding retail structures. Approving the proposal would also add an additional month to the ice rink’s operating season, making it October through March, instead of November through March.
Yes, it’s that time of the year again.
Workers have started installing the ice skating rink at the Pentagon Row shopping center (1101 S. Joyce Street). What serves as a concert and outdoor dining venue during the summer will soon be transformed into a wintry skating rink, complete with instructors providing skating lessons and (starting as soon as Nov. 12) a nightly artificial snow fall.
