Like so many elements of Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park, that ice-skating rink they’re talking about putting up in October or November was inspired by a visit Sheila and Jody Grant made to Bryant Park in New York City. Former Dallas Stars owner Norman Green recalls the idea came about after Jody Grant, chairman of the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, said to him, “They’ve got an ice rink in Bryant Park. Do you think we could do that here?” “Jody,” Green said, “I don’t think you can put ice outdoors in Texas.”
Then, though, they learned about a Florida company called Global Synthetic Ice, which makes an artificial ice-like surface called Super-Glide, and Green changed his mind. He and his wife, Kelly, will be bankrolling the 50-by-100-foot rink on the Great Lawn, Green said last week during a charity event at his home, and the Stars may make a few players available at the park for promotional purposes. Figure skating will be the main attraction at the artificial rink, he added, although some junior-hockey-type games could be played there as well.