A new winter attraction is set to emerge in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Bucheon City announced on the 9th that it will open the 'Bucheon Outdoor Ice Rink' in December, located in the circular plaza of Bucheon Sports Complex in Chunui-dong, Wonmi-gu. This ice rink, spanning approximately 1,500 square meters, will feature skate rentals, a relax zone, an event zone, and a food court, offering a pleasant and enjoyable leisure space for citizens. Its excellent accessibility, being a mere 3-minute walk from Bucheon Sports Complex Station on Seoul Subway Line 7, is expected to draw a continuous flow of visitors throughout the winter.

Bucheon Ice Rink: More Than Just a Skating Rink, a Multi-Cultural Space

Bucheon City plans to develop the ice rink into a multi-cultural space, going beyond a simple skating rink. It aims to create a venue where families can enjoy winter sports along with various events and food. This approach seems to draw inspiration from the success of outdoor ice rinks in neighboring cities like Seoul and Incheon, which have become popular winter leisure destinations. For instance, the Seoul Plaza Skating Rink and the Peace Park Skating Rink at World Cup Park in Sangam-dong attract numerous visitors annually, bringing vitality to the city during winter. Bucheon City also aims to benchmark these success stories to contribute to regional economic revitalization.

Furthermore, the ice rink is exploring ways to maximize energy efficiency for sustainable operation. It plans to minimize power consumption by introducing the latest cooling technology and to lead in environmental protection by implementing eco-friendly operating policies. This is a crucial factor that local governments consider when constructing public facilities, and Bucheon City's efforts are expected to receive positive evaluations from citizens.

Name the Ice Rink Yourself! Public Naming Contest Underway

Bucheon City is holding a 'National Naming Contest' until the 18th, ahead of the ice rink's opening. The aim of this contest is to boost public interest and anticipation for the ice rink through direct citizen participation, and to discover innovative names that reflect Bucheon's local characteristics and the ice rink's identity.

Participation in the contest is possible through the 'Bucheon, Suggestion Hands-Up' bulletin board on the Bucheon City website or via the QR code provided on promotional posters. Submitted ideas will be comprehensively judged based on their symbolism, creativity, linguistic friendliness, and online preference survey results will also be reflected in the judging.

The results are scheduled to be announced on the 4th of next month, and a total of 35 participants will receive Starbucks beverage coupons worth 10,000 won. Notably, the person who submits the name with the highest preference will receive a coupon worth 50,000 won. A Bucheon City official stated, "We anticipate active participation and creative ideas from citizens through this contest," adding, "We will do our best to ensure the ice rink establishes itself as a landmark representing Bucheon."