Sip where you skate: Holland expands social district to ice park despite resident worries

HOLLAND, MI - Holland City Council has approved a proposal to further expand its downtown social district and include part of its new ice park.

The expansion, approved at the council’s Nov. 19 meeting, will allow visitors to carry approved alcoholic drinks onto the grounds of the new $11.3 million Window on the Waterfront Ice Park - though not in the rink itself.

The change will not be in effect until 21 days later, however, after city council rejected an emergency approval that would have given the plan immediate effect.

Some community members opposed the change altogether, while city leaders said the expansion would benefit local businesses and promote positive visitor experiences.

The social district - a designated public area where people can legally purchase and consume alcoholi