1,400 children ride the last tour at the Westfries skating rink

During the West Friesland Tour, children drive past dozens of ‘villages’ in the region. “Different stamp posts are spread throughout the track and they all represent places in West Friesland. For example, Hoogkaspel, Ursem or Hoorn. So it really is as if the children are driving a whole trip through West Friesland. A whole course has been made with tunnels and waking up; anything and everything,” says trainer Sem van Kersten. “It’s fantastic, cozy and always a nice end to the season”.

“The track is beautifully decorated, there is a lot of atmosphere and there is a real mopping orchestra this time,” says Herman van Hulst, organizer of the tour.

It is not self-evident that the skating rink has turned last season, according to Jan. According to the organization, the energy costs of the ice rink have “tripled”, so it was uncertain for a long time whether the ice rink would open. “Imagine that you first always spend 2.5 tons on annual energy costs, then that is now 7.5 tons.” The association was then forced to decide to raise the rates. “But luckily I didn’t hear anyone complain about that. Everyone was especially happy that we could still open last season,” says Jan.

From March 20, the large rink of the skating hall will be closed permanently, but the ‘summer ice’ – which is located in the middle of the hall – will remain open until May 26 for ice hockey players, among others.