United Community Bank Ice on Main Closes Fourth Season
January 20, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – United Community Bank Ice on Main hosted the closing ceremony for its 9-week season on January 20. During this year-end wrap up, the team highlighted several key accomplishments during the 2014-2015 season. Well over 17,000 skaters visited United Community Bank Ice on Main this year, making its fourth season the highest attended in the rink’s history. Greenville’s only outdoor skating rink also saw a record-breaking day for attendance this season, with 1,041 skaters on December 13, according to Greenville city officials.
United Community Bank Ice on Main celebrated its fourth year with record numbers, and I know we are all eager to see what the fifth season of this wintertime tradition in downtown Greenville will bring,” said Dana Souza, director of city of Greenville parks and recreation. “The rink wouldn’t be possible without our generous sponsors. This year, the event attracted more sponsors than ever before and our growing sponsorship base is a tribute to our community’s proactive and collaborative approach in making Greenville one of the most livable cities in America. ”
United Community Bank was the title sponsor of the ice rink for the second year in a row, with an extended season running from Nov. 21, 2014 to Jan. 19, 2015. Opening a full week early made this year a 60-day season. United Community Bank wanted to give back to the community in a new way. For the first time, they sold commemorative gloves and socks at the rink and also partnered with local clothier COAST to sell rink-branded shirts. Proceeds from the sales of all gloves, socks and commemorative COAST shirts were donated to a local nonprofit. United Community Bank presented a check for more than $1,500 to Camp Courage, a local camp for children and teens with cancer or blood disorders.
“We were thrilled to return as the title sponsor for Ice on Main, and to be able to present this check to benefit a local charity,” said Michelle Seaver, President of Greenville County United Community Bank. “We are proud to be part of the tradition and support such an iconic part of the Greenville community.”
New this year, the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and the Peace Center partnered with United Community Bank to offer the “Skate Your Way to Broadway” sweepstakes. The grand prize winner, Melinda Harbin of Seneca, won roundtrip airfare from GSP to New York City, tickets to skate at Rockefeller Center, tickets to see Wicked in Greenville and again on Broadway, and a $500 prepaid MasterCard from United Community Bank.
To finish the closing ceremony, Greenville officials wanted to leave something special behind to remember just how important United Community Bank Ice on Main is to the community. This year, a brick was removed from Village Green and engraved with this: ‘No matter the month or time of day, the magic of the ice is here to stay.’ The brick was placed at the Village Green in hopes that everyone will look forward to many more seasons of this festive and fun tradition.
The outdoor rink would not be possible without the support of fiscal sponsors, including United Community Bank, Greenville Health System, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, The Peace Center, Duke Energy, Hughes Investments, Piedmont Natural Gas, Rosenfeld Einstein, the GEICO Local Office, Ingles, Cabela’s, Macy’s, COAST Apparel, Fidelity Investments, KPMG and PDQ. The City of Greenville partnered with the Courtyard Marriott Greenville Downtown and Windsor Aughtry to provide the physical space. Other sponsors included our videographer 9/8 Central, and our media partners WYFF 4, The Greenville News, iHeartMedia, and Fairway Outdoor Advertising. Special thanks to our community partners including the Greenville Road Warriors, Creative Builders, Triangle Construction, Gillespie Marble, the Community Foundation of Greenville, Gimme-A-Sign Co. and Pepsi for their generosity and support.
About United Community Banks, Inc.
Headquartered in Blairsville, United Community Banks, Inc. is the third-largest bank holding company in Georgia. United has assets of $7.4 billion and operates 102 banking offices throughout north Georgia, the Atlanta region, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina, east Tennessee and western South Carolina. United specializes in providing personalized community banking services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses and also offers the convenience of 24-hour access through a network of ATMs, telephone and on-line banking. United’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol UCBI. Additional information may be found at United’s website at www.ucbi.com.
About United Community Bank Ice on Main
Located in the heart of downtown Greenville, S.C., United Community Bank Ice on Main is an open-air ice skating rink — the only one of its kind in the Upstate. Since 2011, more than 65,000 skaters have enjoyed Greenville’s greatest holiday tradition. United Community Bank Ice on Main is located on the Village Green at Main@Broad, 50 West Broad Street in Greenville. For more information, please visit www.iceonmain.com.
