Salem On Ice decides against third season at Riverfront Park after sales slide

Operations are skidding to a halt at Salem On Ice, the ice-skating rink that welcomed residents in Salem's Riverfront Park during the past two winters.

The ice rink saw sales slide 20% between the first and second seasons, with no signs of improvement in the next season, according to a memo from City Manager Steve Powers. 

"Their decision was very difficult and came only after a detailed analysis of previous years’ performance, current liabilities, and the overall business challenges of providing an ice sheet in the Mid-Willamette Valley," Powers wrote in the Aug. 6 memo.

"Salem On Ice is extraordinarily grateful for the support, encouragement, and friendships that developed between Salem On Ice and the City, their many sponsors, and the wonderful Salem community at large," Powers wrote.

Closing was a tough call that came after an in-depth analysis of earlier years' performance, present liabilities, logistical challenges and the complexity of the business, co-owner Troy Acor wrote in a statement to the Statesman Journal.

The temporary, 60-foot-by-120-foot ice rink opened in 2017, with upwards of 34,000 people skating during the first season. Figures from the second season weren't immediately available.

"We were thrilled to bring the ice skating experience to Salem over the past two years and remain truly humbled by the experience," Acor wrote. "Further, we are extraordinarily grateful for the support, encouragement, and friendships that developed between Salem On Ice and the City of Salem, our many gracious sponsors, and the wonderful Salem community at large."

"While this did not work for us in a for profit business model, we would be happy to consult and assist any other not for profit or municipal entity who would like to set up ice skating rink," Acor wrote.

The rink's visitor list included Gov. Kate Brown and Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett.

In 2017, Bennett fell during an event at the rink, suffered a head injury and had to get staples in his head. That didn't stop him from liking the venue.

"I thought it was neat," Bennett said Thursday, calling it a great addition to the city park. "I think folks will be disappointed." 

If another business comes along offering a rink, Salem would be open to the idea, Bennett said. "It was very popular."

Acor, Andrea Murray and Jerome Murray founded a rink in Modesto, Calif., in 2015. Upwards of 30,000 people skated at the California rink in its first season, per an executive summary.

Acor moved to Keizer several years ago, and the team worked to open a Salem ice rink. The Salem City Council approved an agreement with his company in 2017 to make it happen. 

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Salem On Ice hosted 90-minute skate sessions and other events, such as a New Year's Eve Party and princess parties with Anna and Elsa from Disney's "Frozen."

"It really did spread a lot of happiness, and every day you saw that," Acor said last year. "Which outweighed any of the issues it took to maintain it and keep it running."

—Abby Luschei of the Statesman Journal contributed to this article.

Jonathan Bach has been a business and City Hall reporter with the Statesman Journal since 2016. To support his work, Subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Contact him by email at jbach@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6714 or follow him on Twitter @jonathanmbach.

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