Just A Hop, Skate, And Jump Away! The Southwest Rink At Skyline Park Welcomes Denver Residents To The Ice

DALLAS, Nov. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) and the Downtown Denver Partnership are excited to announce the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park is open for  Mile High Residents to take to the ice.  City of Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, along with City Councilman Albus Brooks, City Councilwoman Judy Montero, Downtown Denver Partnership CEO & President Tami Door, Volunteers of America Director of Community Affairs Jim White, and Southwest Airlines Denver Station Leader Danielle Reidder, welcomed children from the Sun Valley Youth Center to the Southwest Rink today to be among the first to take a spin on the freshly-frozen ice.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Southwest Rink in Downtown Denver, Southwest is extending its warm heart within the Community by encouraging Rink visitors to bring a donation of socks, gloves, or mittens to a special Volunteers of America donation area at the Rink throughout the entire Rink season in exchange for free skate rentals. Mayor Hancock and Jim White personally kicked off the giving season by donating socks and gloves to the Sun Valley Youth Center.

"The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park is quickly becoming one of my favorite events to kick off the winter season," said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.  "The City's collaboration with Southwest Airlines and the Downtown Denver Partnership is creating a new tradition for Denver that is fun and inexpensive for friends and families alike."

"We had more than 44,000 Denver residents, employees, and visitors lace up their skates last year at the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park," said Downtown Denver Partnership's CEO & President Tami Door. "The Southwest Rink is a shining example of how activation can turn a space into a place that people "LUV".  We thank Southwest Airlines for making this a possibility and for their continued investment in the center city."

"Southwest Airlines is dedicated to Denver," said Danielle Reidder, Southwest Airlines Denver Station Leader.  "Denver is an important market for us and having the opportunity to offer a place for the Community to gather and spend time with their friends and family is something we truly value.  We're thrilled to partner with the Downtown Denver Partnership for another successful year of winter fun and events!"

Last year, the Rink gathered a total of 44,499 visitors who laced up their skates and enjoyed the festivities.  After four seasons of the Southwest Rink, more than 163,540 skaters have taken to the ice, and the fifth season is expected to raise that number to more than 210,000 skaters!

The Rink is located in Skyline Park next to the historic Daniels & Fisher Tower and near the intersection of 16th and Arapahoe streets. Skating will once again be FREE to the public with the option to bring skates or rent a pair for just $2. To bring some extra cheer to families visiting the Downtown Denver area this holiday season, the Rink will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For more information, hours, and programming, visit southwestrink.com

The Rink is made possible by a public-private partnership among the City of Denver Parks and Recreation Department, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on Jan. 3, 2006, with 13 daily nonstop departures to three destinations.  The airline currently operates 167 daily nonstop flights to 56 destinations from Denver, including international service to San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos and Cancun, Mexico.  Southwest is also actively engaged in the community through sponsorships of the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Nuggets, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Concerts for Kids, Volunteers of America and many more local organizations.  Find more about Southwest's dedication to Denver here.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest and wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways operate more than 3,400 flights a day, serving 93 destinations across the United States and five additional countries.  Subject to government approvals, service to San Jose, Costa Rica, begins in March 2015, and service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, begins in June 2015.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, a majority of which is equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate to gate connectivity while over the United States.  That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Beats Music, or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of DISH.  Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer Bags Fly Free® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are never change fees, although fare differences might apply. In September 2014, the airline proudly unveiled Heart, a new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcasing the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at Southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/just-a-hop-skate-and-jump-away-the-southwest-rink-at-skyline-park-welcomes-denver-residents-to-the-ice-300000866.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com

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