Evergy Plaza Ice Rink Opening Delayed to Winter
Downtown Topeka Foundation adds a metal canopy to the outdoor rink, pushing its projected opening to late December or early January.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Ice Shows
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The outdoor ice skating rink at Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka is now projected to open in late December or early January, instead of early to mid-December. The delay comes from adding a metal canopy to the design after construction began.
Why it matters
The Downtown Topeka Foundation realized midway through construction that Evergy Plaza lacked shade, prompting the change. The canopy will also let the space host events after the ice melts, extending the plaza's use for Topeka residents.
Rink construction excluding the canopy costs close to $1 million, funded 70% privately and 30% by the city. The canopy still needs funding, leaving its final cost unresolved.
The players
Downtown Topeka Foundation
The nonprofit organization overseeing the Evergy Plaza ice rink project in downtown Topeka.
The details
The Downtown Topeka Foundation added a metal canopy to the rink design after construction began, because Evergy Plaza had no shade. The canopy requires a sturdier foundation and stronger steel light poles, and ordering custom poles took longer than ordering a standard tapered steel pole.
Timeline
Early to mid-December 2026: the rink's original planned opening window.
Late December 2026 to early January 2027: the rink's revised projected opening window.
Season Trajectory
The canopy revises the original Evergy Plaza rink design, which did not account for shade during construction. Adding it extends the plaza's use beyond the ice season, so the space can host events once the rink melts.
Topeka residents will have to wait until late December or early January to skate at Evergy Plaza instead of mid-December. The canopy will also make the plaza usable for events after the ice melts.
The takeaway
Plan winter outings at Evergy Plaza for late December or early January rather than mid-December, since the opening has moved.
What happens next
The rink is projected to open in late December or early January, pending completion of the canopy and its supporting foundation and light poles.
Further reading
Explore more on Ice Shows to see how seasonal rinks like this one fit into the wider scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wibw.
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