Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval facts for kids
| Location | Roseville, Minnesota, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | outdoor bandy rink |
| Opened | December 1993 |
The Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval is a huge outdoor ice rink in Roseville, Minnesota, United States. It's often called just "the Oval." Many people say it's the biggest outdoor ice skating surface in North America that uses artificial ice. Workers built this amazing place between June and December 1993.
About the Rink
The Oval has a giant concrete surface that's about 110,000 square feet. That's like a huge playground! It includes a 400-meter track with an ice arena in the middle. Underneath the concrete, there are 84 miles of special cooling tubes. These tubes are connected to a powerful 800-ton refrigeration system. This system helps keep the ice frozen, even when the air temperature is a bit warm.
When it's too warm for ice (above 50 degrees Fahrenheit), the concrete surface can still be used. People can enjoy inline skating on it then.
History of the Oval
The idea for the Oval started way back in 1983. At that time, the governor of Minnesota, Rudy Perpich, had a big dream. He wanted Minnesota to host the Olympic Games. To help prepare for this, a special group was formed. Their job was to figure out where new sports facilities could be built.
After many years of hard work by local people, the city of Roseville was chosen. The city received money from the state government to design and build a multi-purpose outdoor skating facility. This facility officially opened in December 1993. It was named after John Rose. He was a teacher from Roseville, a member of the state's government, and a big supporter of youth sports.
The Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval has hosted many important events. It was the site for the 1995 Bandy World Championship for men and the 2006 Women's Bandy World Championship. It has also held US Speedskating Championships and other big speedskating races. Plus, it's hosted National Bandy Championships and exciting aggressive skating contests.
Even the Minnesota Wild hockey team used the Oval to show off their new jerseys once! Famous skaters like Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair have visited the Oval. It's also the main training spot for the United States national bandy team and local hockey and speedskating clubs.
In 2004, there were some problems with the cooling system. This made it unclear if the Oval could open for the season. But in June 2005, the Guidant Foundation helped out. They gave $500,000 to fix the refrigeration system. Because of their generous gift and ongoing support, the Oval's official name was changed to include "Guidant."
Events and Activities
The Oval is a very popular place, welcoming over 100,000 visitors every year! During the winter, it's a hub for ice sports. You can find people playing bandy, ice hockey, and speed skating. Many people also come just for fun, recreational ice skating.
When summer arrives, the Oval transforms! It becomes the biggest skating park in the Midwest. Ramps are set up for exciting activities like BMX biking, roller hockey, and aggressive skating. The track is perfect for inline skating. There's even a summer skateboard camp for kids aged 6 to 13 who want to learn or improve their skateboarding skills.
Inside the connected Roseville Ice Arena, the Roseville Skating School offers ice skating lessons during the winter. The Oval is also home to two local speedskating clubs: the Greater Minnesota Speedskating Association and the Midway Speedskating Club. The Midway Speedskating Club is a group that helps young skaters develop their speedskating abilities. They've even helped train athletes and coaches who went on to the Olympics! The Midway Speedskating Club also runs a special program for young skaters aged 4 to 14 through the Roseville Parks and Recreation Department.
The Oval has continued to host major international events. In February 2015, it hosted the Bandy World Championship for girls up to 17. The 2016 Women's Bandy World Championship was also played there.
