Most of Steven L. Schinker Plaza expected to open soon; ice-skating ribbon deferred

Mayor John Haila said the City of Ames expects to open the majority of the Steven L. Schinker Plaza within days, with only the concrete ribbon that will become an ice-skating loop left for replacement this fall.

“The plaza is very, very close,” Mayor John Haila said, adding that the water feature and most landscaping and building areas will be available once minor corrections identified by a State of Iowa inspector are completed. He said the concrete ribbon will remain closed for now and will be replaced in the fall to become a future ice-skating ribbon.

The mayor said the city had anticipated opening the plaza sooner but that the delay was not due to the contractor; rather, state inspection of the water feature identified a handful of small changes that staff are addressing. Once the corrections are finished, Haila said, the city expects to allow public access to most of the plaza, including the splash/water feature.

City staff will present an update to the council at the June 9 meeting after the Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization session; the podcast noted that the council will share timelines and next steps at that public meeting.

The podcast did not specify a firm reopening date. The mayor said staff and council are watching the remaining items closely so the public can start using the new spaces as soon as they meet inspection and safety requirements.