The only real ice rink in Malta is returning to Bay Street and, from 15 November, 2014, until the end of March, 2015, the rotunda on Level 0 at the island's most established and popular shopping, dining and entertainment complex in St George's Bay, St Julian's, will be a major attraction.
Building on the success achieved last year, Bay Street have engaged the services of a 21-year-old professional skater from Paris, Florian Otaï, to give visitors and customers that little bit extra wow factor on the ice.
Florian has been skating since he was 8 years old and has not only taken part in international competitions but also given coaching in skating around France, including to a princess who is a member of the royal family of the Principality of Monaco and to actors who needed to ice skate during a film scene.
Last year he won a pairs competition in the Nations Cup of the Theatre on Ice, a competition that blends athleticism and theatre, he has choreographed the ice-skating on a TV show and performed on ice in another TV show. Florian's father was born in Tunisia and recommended Malta to his son after spending a month learning English here.
During Florian's stay over the coming months, he will be at the ice rink to conduct one-on-one sessions with Bay Street visitors by appointment and will be conducting dance shows and zumba sessions on ice.
Once again, there is going to be a Parent and Toddlers Penguin Club, a Rock the Rink Ice Disco on weekend evenings, family packages and the ice rink can be hired for private events by individuals, schools, companies and community organisations, and for birthday parties.
The circular ice-rink has a capacity to take 30 kids or 20 adults at the same time. Bay Street is offering skating sessions for only €5, including the hire of ice-skating shoes. To ensure that customers of all ages and abilities can skate and have fun, Bay Street will have a range of aids, from toddler ice shoes to help the little ones get their balance on the skating surface, to Penguin walkers as a learning aid. For customers with reduced mobility, a special support frame will be available, as well as dedicated sessions for wheelchair users.
The EU-certified and funded real ice-rink is officially sponsored by Costa Coffee (Level 1) and Original Marines (Level 2) at Bay Street.
One hour's free parking is being offered until the end of next month to all those who make use of the ice-skating rink. Bay Street is now accepting all major credit cards for both its indoor and outdoor car parks.
With a total capacity of 180 cars, the Bay Street Complex ensures that all visitors have easy access. Prices have also been slashed to €1 per hour with a maximum fee of €5 for visitors from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information visit the Bay Street Facebook page www.facebook.com/baystreetmalta. To book a one-on-one session with Florian Otaï or book the ice rink for private events, phone 7974 7487 (office hours, Monday to Friday).