OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) -
A unique Owensboro experience is coming to an end. RiverPark Center is canceling Winter Wonderland.
Due to a lack of funding you won't see an outdoor skating rink this year.
Winter Wonderland has been a family favorite for eight years.
"I think that was something good for kids to do during the winter because they can't do the Spraypark during the summer," said resident Melanie Laslie.
However, ice skating outdoors overlooking the Ohio River on the RiverPark patio won't be an option this winter because it has been canceled.
"Our sponsors have decided to allocate their dollars in other areas. Both the hospital and boardwalk have been extremely generous significant sponsors of that event for eight years," said RiverPark Center's Roxi Witt.
"That's going to be missed I'm sure. It's unique and it gives families time to spend together," Laslie.
Without OMHS and Boardwalk, RiverPark officials say the center can't afford to put on the annual event.
"It's over a $100,000 for us to rent the ice rink. We have to put 100 tons of sand on the patio to level it," Witt said.
"I would have thought they'd been able to work something out with that," Laslie said.
RiverPark leaders tell 14 News that attendance wasn't the problem.
"We hadn't increased dramatically. We've remained pretty steady for eight years. We think we helped revive downtown during the slow winter months," Witt said. "The good news is we've got this beautiful park that is gong to do the same thing we hope."
RiverPark officials say they'll still participate in other activities this winter.
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