Developer Joseph Anderson needed an idea to bring a new family-themed attraction to downtown Niagara Falls.
Who better to ask than his 15-year-old son Alex?
After suggesting a place to snowboard and ski, Alex began researching companies and found SnowMagic, which specializes in creating winter wonderlands in any type of weather conditions.
Anderson has been in contact with representatives from the New Jersey-based company for the past several weeks and is hiring them to establish a snow tubing ramp and ice rink on his 3 acres of vacant property east of the Days Inn downtown. The attraction, which initially will run from mid-December to March, was discussed during Monday’s Tourism Advisory Board meeting.
“We have absolutely nothing to do downtown in the winter time,” Tourism Advisory Board Chairman Jerry Genova said. “I think this is going to be explosive.”
SnowMagic uses patented “Infinite Crystals Snowmaking,” a technology that makes snow to any specification. The system works in any temperature by freezing water to create tiny snow crystals, which are blown out of the machine with explosive force, creating snow with a natural feel and texture, according to company President Albert Bronander.
The company has created snow parks at locations throughout the world, including Oklahoma City, London, Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Bronander said plans for the Falls attraction include using scaffolding to create a snow ramp approximately 300-feet long and up to eight lanes that can cater to sledding, skiing, snowboarding and other activities. An ice rink also is planned.
“It’s going to be something everyone can partake in,” Bronander said.
Anderson said the goal is to establish a winter-like carnival downtown, an area that has been sorely lacking of seasonal attractions since A Festival of Lights shut down several years ago.
“Niagara Falls is beautiful in the winter,” Anderson said. “We just need more things for people to do.”
The ramp and ice rink are the first part of a multi-phase development project Anderson plans for the site, which is just north of Niagara Street between Third Street and Rainbow Boulevard. Depending on how the attraction does from December to March, he said it could become year-round and feature more activities.
“We’re hoping it can become a permanent fixture, but we’re going to go in phases,” Anderson said. “It all depends on the economics.”
Local News
NIAGARA FALLS: A new winter wonder downtown
Joseph Anderson bringing snow park to city’s downtown
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