The Woodlands Township and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion have partnered to fund a $4.9 million facility to be constructed at the Pavilion. The facility will serve as the permanent home for The Woodlands ice rink and as a hospitality venue for the Pavilion. The Woodlands Township and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion have partnered to fund a $4.9 million facility to be constructed at the Pavilion. The facility will serve as the permanent home for The Woodlands ice rink and as a hospitality venue for the Pavilion.[/caption]

The Woodlands Township has finalized plans to fund a new building with The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, which will host a permanent ice rink and a House of Blues hospitality venue. The facility will be built in the current location of the Pavilion’s temporary hospitality tent, which is adjacent to the north side ticket office and entry.


Construction on the facility will begin later this year and is anticipated to be complete in time for the Pavilion’s 2016 concert season, according to the township.


The township and the Pavilion will share both the use and the cost of the structure, which is estimated at $4.9 million. The ice rink, which has been a temporary attraction on Lake Robbins Drive for the past 15 years, will be permanently housed in the building during the winter months, and the House of Blues hospitality venue will be housed as the facility during the Pavilion’s concert season.


“We are so pleased that the township and the Pavilion will work together on this project,” said Whitney Hough, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion marketing and public relations manager. “Not only will the new structure benefit our concertgoers, but it will also enhance the Town Center as a whole.”


Hough said the Pavilion’s current House of Blues hospitality facility is not a permanent structure, and a new permanent venue will offer guests access to more restrooms and a larger area to seek refuge from the heat during or after a concert at the Pavilion.


However, there are no plans to utilize the facility for live music performances.


“Currently no specific plans have been made for the building to be used as an alternate music venue,” Hough said. “However, this facility will absolutely be used for events like the Children’s Festival and other educational outreach programs. With this expanded space, The Pavilion will be able to enhance the experience for guests at all contemporary events.”


The township will pay $3 million for the project, which constitutes half of the constructions costs as well as the entire cost of the ice-making equipment. The initial cost to fund the new facility will be more cost-effective over the long term than the temporary ice rink by eliminating setup and takedown costs, said John Powers, assistant general manager of community services for the township.


Additionally, Powers said the agreement provides the township a longer use period each year than the current ice rink season by allowing for flexibility with scheduling and additional opportunities for expanded operations and programs. The project will also provide a climate-controlled environment with better access to amenities and parking.


The ice rink has proven to be one of The Woodlands’ most popular attractions, with more than 240,000 skaters visiting the facility during the past five years. For the 2014-15 season, the ice rink attracted 49,921 visitors, the second-highest attendance figure in the facility’s 15-year history, according to The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau.