For immediate release Contact: Corinne Martin April 11, 2014 Office: (718) 965-8954 [email protected]
Contact: Monty Ross Off: (212) 661-6640 [email protected]
The LeFrak Center Brings Roller Skating and More to Prospect Park On April 12th at 10:00am
On Saturday, April 12th the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside will convert its rinks from ice skating to roller skating along with adding a range of new programs, classes, special events, and specialty menu selections at its acclaimed Bluestone Café.
In addition to its ongoing slate of programs and special events for the spring; including “Friday Night Dance Parties,” “Mommy and Me” programs, and festive holiday events; Upsilon Ventures, the operator of The LeFrak Center, is planning a series of special events in April.
Skate Day - April 17th 8:30am – 1:00pm. As an extension of its 9 year partnership with the Department of Youth and Community Development’s (DYCD) Out of School Time (OST) afterschool program, Upsilon Ventures is honored to host 250+ elementary and middle school OST participants for a DYCD “Skate Day” at The LeFrak Center. The DYCD Skate Day is a private event that will provide the children with free admission, roller skating, equipment rentals, music, and snacks. Expected attendees include DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong, DYCD OST Assistant Commissioner Denice Williams, and a range of publically elected officials.
Roller Derby Day – April 19th 3:00pm – 10:00pm. Gotham Girls Junior Roller Derby teams will host a free-to-the-public series of events and activities throughout the afternoon and evening. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a live exhibition game, participate in hands- on interactive activities with the pros, as well as learn more about The LeFrak Center’s upcoming Roller Derby class.
“The LeFrak Center has already proven itself to be an unparalleled success, with thousands taking to the ice to enjoy winter skating,” said James Snow, Acting President of the Prospect Park Alliance. “With the start of the warm weather, we look forward to introducing roller skating and other outdoor activities.”
“Upsilon Ventures is honored to be the operators and caretaker of The LeFrak Center and we looking forward to expanding our programming, recreational activity offerings, dining options, and more in the coming season” said Itai Shoffman, Founder and Principle, Upsilon Ventures, LLC. Entry to LeFrak Center is free and open to the public, with an admission fee associated with skating and skating-related services. Along with its picturesque skating rink, the Lakeside area offers visitors a beautiful site to watch the spring blooms budding, with the new native plantings throughout Lakeside, including the Chaim Baier Music Island and the Shelby White and Leon Levy Esplanade. Thousands of square feet of parkland were added through this project, and trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants were carefully selected to reflect Brooklyn’s naturally occurring flora, including Sugar maple, Winterberry and Appalachian sedge.
Public roller skating and dining hours and facility pricing for the spring season are as follows:
Spring Public Roller Skating Rink & Concession Hours Monday – Thursday: 2:00pm – 6:00pm Friday: 2:00pm – 10:00pm Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm Sunday: 10:00am – 6:30pm
Bluestone Café Spring Hours Friday and Saturday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm – 6:30pm
Skating & Rentals: Entry to the LeFrak Center, Bluestone Café, and its restrooms is free Skating rink admission: $6.00 (Monday – Thursday) and $8.00 (Friday-Sunday and holidays) Skate rentals: $6 per person + tax Every Monday (excluding school holidays), children 12 and under receive free rink admission between 2:00pm – 6:00pm for unlimited skating if accompanied by an adult; the $6 skate rental charge applies
Note – For the spring holidays, from April 12 – April 22, public roller skating, LeFrak Center Concession and Bluestone Café’s hours will be extended as follows:
Public Roller Skating Rink & Concession Hours: April 12 – April 22 Monday – Thursday: 10:00am – 6:00pm Friday and Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm Sunday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Bluestone Café Hours: April 12 – April 22 Friday and Saturday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Information and pricing for classes at LeFrak Center’s Skate School, private rink rentals, group discounts, seasonal roller skating season passes, annual membership, birthday and special occasion parties, corporate events, and Bluestone Café dining options can be found at LakesideBrooklyn.com.
The Lakeside project exemplifies the success that a public-private partnership can bring in making a great park greater, having been funded through a mix of public and private dollars. Roughly $54 million in public funding for the project was allocated by City, State and Federal officials, including over $46 million from the City. The Prospect Park Alliance raised the remaining $20 million from donors, foundations and corporations, including $10 million from the Leon Levy Foundation.
About Prospect Park Alliance
The Prospect Park Alliance partners with the City of New York and the community to make Prospect Park the beautiful place Brooklynites know and love. We care for the natural environment, preserve historic designs, provide facilities and host events, programs and activities throughout the year for all New Yorkers.
For more information on Prospect Park Alliance programs, volunteering and membership, call the Park Hotline at (718) 965-8999, or visit www.prospectpark.org.
Dial 311 for all Parks & Recreation information
Like Prospect Park Alliance on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @prospect_park
About Upsilon Ventures, LLC
Established in 2002, Upsilon Ventures, LLC, is a project development, marketing, hospitality and production firm specializing in public-private partnerships and the utilization of public spaces and real estate for iconic community engagement and sponsor activation. Upsilon Ventures produces, develops and operates the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, featuring ice skating facilities, Celsius at Bryant Park, a restaurant, lounge, bar and event space, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, an open-air boutique holiday retail destination, Lakeside, a new $74 million, 26 acre multi-faceted community destination in Prospect Park, Brooklyn offering year-round recreation, SeaChange, a skating and hospitality facility at the South Street Seaport, and numerous other projects designed to provide compelling community destinations and corporate brand activation . For more information on Upsilon Ventures’ programs and project portfolio, please visit www.upsilonventures.com or call 212-661-6640.
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