Sweetland on Ice is returning Nov. 30, and it will be operated by the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority. Last year, operation of the rink was provided by Ice Days, a company based in Conyers. 

It’s unclear what resulted in the change in management, as Ice Days had a multi-year contract to manage the ice rink. 

“I can’t really go into the details of that with you, but we had contracted with a third party to operate it last year, and we decided to make a change with that arrangement and our board decided to move forward and see if we could operate it this year,” said Barbie Watts, director of promotions and marketing for the DLDA. 

Ice Days Facebook page stated it disputed the DLDA’s decision to terminate the contract. Ice Days will continue to run another rink in Conyers.

“We cannot properly express our appreciation for the support we received from our patrons in LaGrange,” said Ice Days on its Facebook page.

Watts said the rink will be open to the public on Thursdays through Sundays, and tickets can also be purchased online. 

“I expect our numbers to grow as people learn that the rink is there,” Watts said. “I expect that we will have more attendance this year.”

Watts said they are trying to feature local vendors at the rink during the season and will have Holloway’s Pork Rinds and Bratwurts on Nov. 30 and Drive-By Tacos on Dec. 1. Harvest Coffee will also be available on both days. 

“Everybody is so excited,” Watts said. “We enjoyed having that experience downtown last year so much, so we’re pleased to be able to have that experience available for our community again.”

Watts said with the DLDA running the rink this year will tie-in with other events they hold downtown during the Christmas season.

“They’re all independent events, but it’s fun for our community to know we’ve got so much going on downtown that revolves around the holiday season,” Watts said. “We will probably have Santa visiting at the skating rink at some point during the season.”

The season ends Feb. 18, 2019. 

Tickets for Sweetland on Ice are $12 per person. For more information on the rink, visit Sweetland.events/events/sweetland-on-ice-2018-2019.