PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Since its opening ten years ago, community service has always been an integral component of Penn's Landing Corporation's Blue Cross RiverRink. Highlighting Penn's Landing's outreach efforts is the "Good Skates" Program, which provides free intensive instructional skating lessons for urban school children in the School District in Philadelphia. In fact, "Good Skates" has been credited by the physical education department as one of "the best extracurricular athletic programs ever provided to the School District of Philadelphia."
Located on the Delaware River at Festival Pier, Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Streets, the Blue Cross RiverRink is host to over 500 middle school students (250 per session) in the "Good Skates" program. It has become so popular that the School District developed a lottery system to select schools. Each school completes an application submitted to Margorie Wuestner, Administrator-Health, Safety, and Physical Education for the School District of Philadelphia. Those schools selected receive free enrollment in the four-week "Good Skates" program, which includes 1/2 hour skating lesson with professional instruction and 1 hour practice time and free skating. Six classes averaging around 40 kids participate in each of the 4-week sessions. Transportation and skate rentals are also included. The schools attend on Tuesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:45-11:30 a.m. School officials can contact Ms. Wuestner at 215-875-3337
"We are very proud to provide such a great opportunity for students in the Philadelphia schools," said Dominic Sabatini, president of Penn's Landing Corporation. "Not only is it fun and a break from regular school lessons, it is an excellent opportunity for students to learn a terrific sports activity they can enjoy their entire lives."
The Blue Cross RiverRink will open officially at noon on Friday, November 28, 2003 with the first public skating session of the season. The Blue Cross RiverRink is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary Season ... ten years of wintry fun on the Penn's Landing waterfront ... ten years of outdoor ice skating in the center of the city! All season long there will be 10th Anniversary festivities with special events and special guests.
Independence Blue Cross is the title sponsor of the Blue Cross RiverRink. Other Sponsors include: PNC Bank, Deer Park Water, Pepsi, NBC 10 and Philadelphia -- the place that LOVES YOU BACK.
The Blue Cross RiverRink is located on Festival Pier at Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information on skating sessions, ice skating lessons, birthday parties or private receptions, please call 215.925.RINK or visit www.riverrink.com.
The Blue Cross River Rink logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=354