The Ice at Canalside has exceeded expectations, says Sam Hoyt, board member for the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Board. "It appears that our final numbers will be in excess of 50,000 skaters," Hoyt said. Public skating for the facility's first season is scheduled to end on Tuesday.
"We want Buffalonians to not be in denial that we are a cold weather town," Hoyt said.
"We want people to know that during the winter months that there are fun activities they can enjoy beyond heading to the ski slopes."
The facility had many patrons who rented skates and ice bikes; some used the curling ice. Hoyt says skaters were out in full-force on some of the coldest days of the record-setting winter.
"We wanted to create an atmosphere and environment where people can enjoy and celebrate the outdoors during the winter months. I think it worked."
Here is the March schedule for Canalside events:
http://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/things-to-do/2015-03/#events