THE NEUTRAL ZONE OFFICIALLY BECOMES CITY-OWNED
Grand Opening Set for February 16
The City of Rexburg will celebrate the official grand opening of The Neutral Zone, the community’s new ice rink located at Riverside Park, on Monday, February 16, marking a new chapter for the facility as it transitions to full City ownership.
Originally envisioned through a public-private partnership, The Neutral Zone was constructed on City-owned park space with private capital funding and management. Under the original agreement, the City granted use of the land with the understanding that a portion of private revenues would be applied toward eventual City ownership over a period of up to 25 years.
Construction of the rink was completed in late September of last year and opened to the public in early October with a soft launch. While the rink initially operated with limited promotion, interest in the facility increased significantly following the City’s annual holiday event at Riverside Park on December 1, where ice skating was offered as part of the celebration.
In December, the developer (who has chosen to remain anonymous) approached the City with the desire to step away from ownership of the facility. Rather than transferring ownership to a third party, the developer donated the building to the City at no cost. The City’s ownership of The Neutral Zone became official on February 1.
With that transition, all rink staff will become City employees, and the facility will be operated by the City’s Parks & Recreation Department.
“This is an unexpected but incredibly positive opportunity for the City and our residents,” said Scott Johnson, Director of Economic Development & Public Relations. “The Neutral Zone is already proving to be a valued community asset, and we’re excited to officially welcome it as part of our Parks and Recreation system.
Grand Opening Celebration
The City will host an official grand opening ceremony on Monday, February 16 (Presidents’ Day), with activities planned throughout the afternoon and evening. The main grand opening event is tentatively scheduled for 2–6 pm, followed by public skating opportunities from 6-10 pm.
Planned activities include:
Ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Mayor and the Rexburg City Council
Facility tours
On-ice demonstrations from local hockey and figure skating programs
Information booths and sign-ups for league play and skating classes
Ice games and interactive activities for spectators and participants
Snacks, drinks, and free cocoa from 2-6 pm with full concessions from 6-10 pm.
Following the main celebration, the rink will host a public/family open skating from 6-8 pm, and the celebration will conclude with a neon skate party from 8-10 pm.
The City has also invited regional hockey teams, including the Idaho Falls Spud Kings and the Utah Mammoths, to participate in the event.
Final event details and a full schedule will be announced closer to the event date. Follow the City of Rexburg’s social media pages for more information.
About The Neutral Zone
The Neutral Zone is Rexburg’s public indoor ice rink, offering hockey leagues, figure skating instruction, open skate sessions, and community events. Located at Riverside Park in Rexburg, the indoor facility adds a year-round recreational opportunity for residents and visitors alike.
For updates and additional information about the grand opening, visit Rexburg.org or follow the City of Rexburg on social media.