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Mexicans Chill on Free Rink

Populist mayor gives city residents world's biggest ice rink

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2008 5:20 AM CST

(Newser) – People in sun-drenched Mexico City are waiting as long as six hours for the thrilling opportunity to skate on what officials say is the world's biggest ice rink—at no charge, the Washington Post reports. The free 34,000-square-foot rink—with free skate rental—highlights the class divide in Mexico, where it would cost 40% of the nation's residents a day's pay to rent skates at a private rink.

The $1.5 million project, financed with private donations, was the brainchild of the city's populist mayor. The rink doesn't get a warm reception from everyone. "There are places outside the city that don't even have running water, and down there they've got this fancy block of frozen ice," a taxi driver griped. "There's something wrong with this."

People ice skate on a rink installed in Mexico City's main Zocalo Plaza, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007. The rink, designed to withstand Mexico City's warm climate, opened Saturday night to curious onlookers as... (Associated Press)

Skaters enjoy the ice on a rink installed in Mexico City's main Zocalo Plaza, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007. The rink, designed to withstand Mexico City's warm climate, opened Saturday Dec. 1 to curious onlookers... (Associated Press)

People ice skate on a rink installed in Mexico City's main Zocalo Plaza, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007. The rink, designed to withstand Mexico City's warm climate, opened Saturday Dec. 1 to curious onlookers... (Associated Press)

People ice skate on a rink installed in Mexico City's main Zocalo Plaza Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007. The rink, designed to withstand Mexico City's warm climate, opened Saturday night to curious onlookers as... (Associated Press)

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Mexicans Chill on Free Rink

Populist mayor gives city residents world's biggest ice rink

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3 Dead in 6.5 Mexico Quake

No major damage reported

Drug Cartels Kill 41 in Mexico in 24 Hours

Police say Zetas responsible for three major incidents around Mexico

Mexico City Volcano Spews Ash Cloud

Popocatepetl isn't in danger of erupting, however

Gaga Smacks Ariz. Crackdown

Singer is no fan of immigration law, will join 'American Idol'

Amid Storm of Violence, Mexicans Find Unlikely Refuge

Crime-ridden Mexico City is now looking pretty good

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Mexicans Chill on Free Rink

Populist mayor gives city residents world's biggest ice rink

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Mexico City • Mexico • skating • ice rink • class divide

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

3 Dead in 6.5 Mexico Quake

No major damage reported

Drug Cartels Kill 41 in Mexico in 24 Hours

Police say Zetas responsible for three major incidents around Mexico

Mexico City Volcano Spews Ash Cloud

Popocatepetl isn't in danger of erupting, however

Gaga Smacks Ariz. Crackdown

Singer is no fan of immigration law, will join 'American Idol'

Amid Storm of Violence, Mexicans Find Unlikely Refuge

Crime-ridden Mexico City is now looking pretty good

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?