Bee Cave considers second ice skating season, puts down nearly $50K deposit for ice rink

*Editor's note: It was previously reported that the remaining $240,000 from Bee Cave ice rink revenue went into the city's hotel occupancy fund, however, the money went into city's general fund.

After a successful inaugural season for the city of Bee Cave’s Bee Cave on Ice rink in the Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave City Council has approved a $48,966.40 deposit to secure the rink for the 2023-24 season.

“In general [Bee Cave businesses] loved the event, saw increased business and inquired if this could be a city tradition,” Communications Specialist Dori Kelley said.

The city is holding off on approving up to $300,000 in hotel occupancy funds until they can get a better understanding of how much the Galleria and other sponsors will contribute toward the ice rink, Bee Cave Mayor Kara King said.

Bee Cave on Ice hosted over 25,000 skaters with people from over 100 ZIP codes during the 2022-23 season, which ran from Nov. 4-Jan. 2, according to city documents.

In the two months it was open, Bee Cave on Ice grossed $392,748.32 and generated over $29,000 in sales tax, the city said.

After all costs were finalized, the rink brought in $340,919.68 in revenue; $100,000 was reimbursed to the Galleria per a previous agreement with the city, and the remaining $240,000 went into the city's general fund, the city said.