The Woodlands Township and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion are negotiating a deal to build a permanent facility on the pavilion grounds that would house an ice skating rink.[/caption]

The Woodlands Township and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion are finalizing plans to build a permanent ice skating rink near the pavilion box office.

As part of the agreement the township and the Woodlands Pavilion will share the costs to build a 20,000-square-foot facility that would house both an ice skating rink and convention space.

According to the township, the ice rink would operate from late November to early January when the Woodlands Pavilion does not host events. During the pavilion’s operating season, which typically runs from about late March to early October, the space would be utilized as a House of Blues hospitality venue, according to the township.

The facility would be located where the House of Blues temporary hospitality tent is located now.

“We’re still working through some of the details of the agreement, but hopefully we’ll have them done soon,” said John Powers, assistant general manager for community services for the township.

The cost of the facility will be about $5.5 million, of which the township could pay up to $3.1 million.

Once the agreement is finalized, construction could begin in November, Powers said, and wrap up in time for the pavilion’s 2016 concert season.