Above: Surrounded by Airbus employees, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson announces Airbus Group will invest $20,000 as title sponsor for the inaugural Riverside Ice, a two-month ice skating rink debuting Nov. 12 for the holidays in Cooper Riverside Park. (courtesy City of Mobile)

With a $20,000 boost from Airbus Group, Mobile’s inaugural Riverside Ice attraction gained a title sponsor Tuesday, and the Port City took another step toward attaining “destination city” status.

Just ask Santa Claus.

Florida-based Magic Ice USAs PPG Place ice skating rink in Pittsburgh, Pa. (courtesy Magic Ice USA Inc.)

“Airbus’ significant contribution will offer our community an amazing opportunity to delight in an outdoor pleasure that we typically don’t see in our neck of the woods,” Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said of the effort to install a 50-foot by 70-foot portable ice rink in Cooper Riverside Park for the holidays.

In addition to its financial commitment, Airbus plans to fly Santa down from the North Pole to Riverside Ice every Saturday in December so the jolly old elf can keep a closer eye on exactly who’s being naughty or nice.

Allan McArtor, chairman and chief executive officer of Airbus Group, called the ice rink a “great activity for the Mobile community, and a terrific holiday experience for all.”

“We look forward to seeing everyone at the rink – let’s just keep the ‘hard landings’ to a minimum,” McArtor said.

The latest offshoot of the recently unveiled Mayor’s Initiative on Tourism, Riverside Ice will operate seven days a week from Nov. 12 through Jan. 16

Although the rink’s hours are expected to fluctuate according to holiday and school schedules, tentative hours of operation will be from noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays and noon until 11 p.m. on weekends. Admission for skating will be $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under, including the cost of skate rentals.

Mobile Mayor Stimpson is pictured with Airbus executives Ulrich Weber, left, and Juan Uriarte, right, in Cooper Riverside Park. The aircraft manufacturer, investing $20,000, will serve as title sponsor for the inaugural Riverside Ice, a two-month ice skating rink debuting Nov. 12 for the holidays. (courtesy City of Mobile)

The total estimated cost of Riverside Ice hovers around $150,000, including a $132,350 contract with Florida-based Magic Ice USA Inc. to install, operate and maintain the rink. An additional $18,000 will be needed to cover utility costs, the operation of a ticket booth and other incidentals.

Stimpson’s office confirmed Wednesday Airbus’ contribution brings total private sponsorships to about $80,000 with more expected within the next 10 days. Admission fees are expected to cover the city’s portion of the initiative with any net proceeds slated to benefit the parks and recreation department.

Al Hutchinson, president and chief executive officer of the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, said there’s no question Riverside Ice will become a “great downtown attraction for locals,” but it also “gives us the additional opportunity to package it with other holiday activities like Bellingrath Garden‘s Magic Christmas in Lights … to encourage out-of-town visitors to come for a weekend.”

“The more seasonal activities Mobile has to offer, the better message we can deliver to potential tourists,” Hutchinson said.

Stimpson said the support the project has garnered outside Government Plaza speaks volumes about the momentum Mobile continues to gain.

“As we strive to become a destination city, we realize that through public-private partnerships many of our greatest desires can be accomplished,” he said.

And while no official decision has been made regarding Santa’s travel accommodations to Mobile throughout December, Airbus spokeswoman Kristi Tucker said aircraft being produced by Airbus at Mobile Aeroplex and the CN235 are options.

“We’ll work with Mr. Claus to determine his needs,” Tucker said.

Click here to learn more about remaining Riverside Ice sponsorship opportunities.