Evergy Plaza Ice Skating Rink
At a glance
- What: Construction of an ice skating rink at Evergy Plaza downtown. Work paused in July for a redesign of the light poles so a canopy or roof can be added later.
- Where it stands: Construction resumed at full pace; support holes dug and concrete due the following week. Opening is expected December or January, possibly after January 1 if the light poles are not delivered. Steel delivery dates were not yet firm.
- Next: The project representative promised a firm date at the next update; temporary lighting is being explored; a hard-shell canopy awaits fundraising.
Design change
- Existing light poles could not support a canopy, so stronger structural steel poles from a Topeka supplier replaced them.
- Equipment (skates, ice resurfacer and other items) has been ordered.
Committee views
- Chair Hoferer and Councilmember McGee favored opening safely over the holidays if possible. Councilmember Kell asked about temporary lighting and removable poles for shade.
- Shade elsewhere on the plaza is a long-standing request, but no option has been pursued because of cost.
Sources
- 2026-10-21 - Transient Guest Tax Committee (video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=WTVA2FFPeAg, auto-generated captions)
Discussion time
About 13 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-21 - Transient Guest Tax Committee | 13 |
Log
- 2026-10-21 - Transient Guest Tax Committee - Update to the committee on the July redesign, construction restart and a December-to-January opening estimate.