An estimated 88 percent of all classic holiday movies feature ice skating at Rockefeller Center in New York.

Okay, that is a fabricated statistic.

This, however, is a fact: Capitol Hill is trying to achieve that Rockefeller Center look and feel this holiday season with its first annual ice rink. Hunters Capital, a company that owns a number of properties on Capitol Hill, got the idea for an ice rink in Cal Anderson Park.

"About two years ago, in a really cold December, the reflection pond froze over and people were skating around in their tennis shoes. We looked at that and all the great cities that have ice skating rinks," said Jill Cronauer, press relations person for Hunters Capital. "We thought it was about time that Capitol Hill had its own ice rink. There just seems to be a lack of that sort of outdoor activity here in this city."

Michael Wells, a member of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce is hoping the rink will liven up Cal Anderson Park during the winter months and be a centerpiece of the holiday season.

"Cal Anderson Park is a jewel in Capitol Hill, it's a real asset and its one of the great things living in this particular neighborhood," said Wells. "We have a beautiful urban park in the middle of a really densely populated urban setting. But in the winter, people are in it less than they are in the beautiful days and we thought this was a way to celebrate the holidays and do something special and keep it active during the winter time with the winter festivity things that people like to do on the hill."

The biggest question on the minds of Capitol Hill inhabitants is, of course, "How much will it cost?" The price, which includes skate rental, will be $12 for adults and $6 for children eight and under. The rink takes credit card only but pre-sale tickets can be bought with cash at Caffé Vita. The average college student on the budget of "barely enough money to eat" may balk at the price but the opportunistic individual can take advantage of a discount on Dec. 6. On the rink's first day, the first 100 attendees will get to skate for free. Free hot chocolate will be provided by Caffé Vita and all are welcome to enjoy the rink's opening ceremony, which will be attended Mayor Mike McGinn.

For perks during day-to-day operations, there are a few that will sweeten the deal and soften the $12 blow. First, items with receipts from merchants on the Hill are going to be eligible for free gift wrapping as you skate. Second, lights and music should make for a priceless experience if you're into sentimental holiday mush or pretending that life is a movie. Third, if no one skates then the ice rink won't be able to return next year. Cronauer insisted that $12 is the price necessary in order to break even.

With social justice always on the mind of the Seattle University student or faculty member, there is potential in the future for proceeds to benefit a charitable partner if Pike/Pine Events can turn a profit.

"This year, the hope is to pull it off. From here on out, we'll be looking for charitable partners but I think this year the intention just is to make it happen for the community," Wells said.

For the Seattle U student or faculty with community-building on their mind, they should be pleased to know that a driving force behind this ice rink was the intention to strengthen the Capitol Hill community.

"People often come to Capitol Hill for nightlife and food and music — and we have a great scene for that — but you have to have a very balanced neighborhood in order to be successful and what we might be lacking in is something for community, family, but really for everyone. This will be a nice fit for that," Cronauer said.

If anyone is wondering where the ice rink is going, it will be plopped on top of the basketball court and a professional group will come in to install fake, professional-grade ice. To endure Seattle's infamous rain, the rink will also be tented.

The Capitol Hill Ice Rink will operate from Dec. 6 until Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Cal Anderson Park. For more information, visit capitolhillicerink.com

Rosalie may be reached at rcabison@su-spectator.com