Warté Designs, an event planning firm located in Raleigh, presented Raleigh on Ice, an outdoor ice skating rank located in Bier Creek Commons.

Carla Williams, a media coordinator for Warté Designs, said the goal of the company is to give people an experience that is familiar to Madison Square in New York and other big cities.

“We wanted to bring that experience to Raleigh,” said Carla Williams. ”People now are able to have a fun through an inexpensive outdoor experience in Raleigh.”

A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Raleigh Rescue Mission to help Raleigh’s homeless children and families in need.

Williams said the greatest benefit of the project will be giving back to the community.

“The design company is a huge giver of the community,” she said. “This will also create great awareness of the homeless people in Raleigh.”

The opening day at Brier Creek Commons was last Saturday where the Carolina Hurricanes hosted events that included a visit from Stormy the Hurricanes mascot and promotional item giveaways.

According to a press release Ben Aycock, Carolina Hurricanes Director of Marketing and Brand Development, said the Carolina Hurricanes are proud to partner with Raleigh on Ice.

“Carolina Hurricanes are also proud to help with their dual mission of providing a unique experience for local consumers in addition to raising funds for Raleigh Rescue Mission,” Aycock said.

Anna Murillo, a senior in biological sciences, said the event will give Raleigh residents the opportunity to help others in an indirect way.

“It’s making them help in a fun way,” Murillo said. “It is also great for the people who just want to hang out or support a good cause.”

Williams said the cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children including skate rentals.

According to the Raleigh on Ice website, the rink provides Raleigh residents and visitors an inexpensive holiday activity to enjoy while they shop at some of their favorite shopping centers.

Robert Brevoort, a sophomore in business administration, said it’s good that the company is helping out the community and it something to do on a Friday night.

“I’m glad they are doing something like this to help out the community in a bad economic time,” Brevoort said.

Murillo also believes the rink is good for the economy because on Wednesdays the customer doesn’t have to pay admissions and it will bring in other people from around North Carolina.

“There will be free admission on Wednesdays at Brier Creek Commons for those that bring at least three canned food goods to the ice skating rink,” Williams said.

“A lot of students will probably end up going there because the economy is so bad,” Murillo said. “People will now shop more frequently since its located right by it. It also saves us gas because we won’t have to drive to other skating places.”

Williams said it has been great to have a lot of support from the community.

“Starbucks of Brier Creek supported us when we first opened by giving out free hot chocolate and brownies,” Williams said.

The Raleigh on Ice skating rink is environmentally friendly. The rink uses synthetic ice, a cutting edge technology that eliminates the need for the excessive water consumption and energy required to power a refrigerated rink, said Williams.

Williams said the rank was provided by a vendor based out of Pennsylvania that was installed last Wednesday and they finished it Saturday morning.

“They came and installed the outdoor ice rank,” Williams said. “Warté Design came up with nice touch of different holiday decorations and trimming to make it look good.”

 Williams said the outdoor rink is a nice change for Raleigh.

“The rink creates a fun atmosphere for the family and the community,” she said. “The goal is to have Raleigh on Ice as a tradition every year.”