12/19/09 3:42 PM EST
CHICAGO — It was Opening Day at Wrigley Field on Saturday as long as you brought your ice skates.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and family members, pitcher Ryan Dempster, Chicago Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, and other state and local officials helped to open "The Rink at Wrigley."
"We want to make sure Wrigley is 365 days a year for the community," 44th Ward alderman Tom Tunney said.
Dempster threw out a first pitch to Mikita on the ice, and then skated with fans and his son, Brady, on the ice rink, located west of Wrigley Field at Clark Street and Waveland Avenue. Fans shouldn't be surprised to see Dempster on the ice fairly regularly; the Canadian pitcher practically grew up on skates.
Chicago Park district superintendent Tim Mitchell said the Cubs began conversations about creating the ice rink about three weeks ago. The Blackhawks, Westrec Marinas, McDonald's and the Central Lakeview Merchants Association also are sponsors.
"We would love to see Wrigley Field become not just the summer confines but the winter confines," Mitchell said.
Admission is $10 per adult, $6 per child, and may be purchased on site for the sessions. There will be morning, afternoon and evening sessions — yes, there are lights. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 2-9 p.m. CT; Friday 2-11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Proceeds will help offset the cost of the rink. Skate rentals will be available for an additional fee.
Wrigley Field was host on New Year's Day for the NHL Winter Classic between the Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, and the team wanted to take advantage of the fan interest.
There's even a Zamboni machine. No word on whether it'll be renamed after Big Z, Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano.