In 1995, Ice-Nook launched its first location and pilot project at Bramalea City Centre (BCC - a major shopping mall, approximately 240 stores) in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Here's what the media and our customers said about us:

The Media

Brampton Guardian - February 8, 1995 (Indoor family skating venue opens at Bramalea City Centre). As of tomorrow, Bramalea City Centre will be able to add indoor skating to its list of shops and services...Ice-Nook provides an inexpensive and accessible fitness and recreational opportunity for shoppers... Children are required to wear helmets which are provided free of charge. Grand opening is scheduled for tomorrow evening... Refreshments will be served and skating demonstrations will be given by local skating teams... Proceeds from the first full day of operations on Friday will be donated to the Peel Memorial Hospital Foundation...

Cable 10, Mississauga TV - February 10, 1995 (5-minute segment of grand opening)

The Toronto Star - March 13, 1995 (Marketing the malls as competition surges) The Bramalea City Centre... has converted a food court into an indoor skating rink. "Parents love it," says Mounir Sahyoun of Ice-Nook Family Skating Centres, who plans to franchise the concept. The Polyethylene skating surface goes in quickly, requires little maintenance and it's not cold or wet. "You can leave the kids here safely while you shop." Sahyoun, who arrived from Lebanon seven years ago, has been busy setting up and organizing Ice-Nook cross-promotions with the mall retailers...

City Parent - March 1995 (Shopping on ice). If skating around a shopping mall sounds like a far fetched idea, you obviously haven't been to Bramalea City Centre recently... Ice-Nook opened its first synthetic ice rink in a mall last month and company officials are betting it won't be their last. Mounir Sahyoun, Ice-Nook owner says shopping malls of the 90s need to be more innovative to keep customers coming back... The artificial ice surface is slower than the real thing, making it ideal for beginner skaters. But don't let that stop you seasoned skaters--the same surface is used by professionals in ice shows...

Today's Parent - April 1995 (What's new?) Ice-Nook Family Skating Centres opened its first indoor skating centre in Bramalea City Centre in early February. Using synthetic ice, the rink is safe and comfortable to skate on and isn't cold or damp like real ice. Services include recreational skating and instruction, rentals, special programs and birthday parties...

KiddStuff Magazine - April 1995 (Do you need ice to skate? Nope!) Now you can skate on plywood! Wood panels that are coated on both sides with polyethylene (a type of plastic that you can find in food packaging and insulation too!) Make the surface similar to ice but without the wet and the cold! It's a little slower to skate on and takes a minute or two to get used to but the advantage is that it can be used indoors year round. To see for yourself, head on out to the Ice-Nook where you can skate, have a party or just watch the fun...

The Business Bulletin - August 1995 (Ice-Nook Family skating Centres) Ice-Nook, the most innovative recreational facility in Canada, recently opened it's first synthetic ice skating rink... Mall visitors of all ages will find a year-round unique fitness opportunity that is safe, fun, convenient and inexpensive... the surface is a little slower than natural ice, making it ideal for building up speed and muscles. It is safer and easier to skate on...

Markham Economist & Sun - November 22, 1995 So far, Ice-Nook is established in one Canadian mall, Bramalea City Centre in Brampton , where parents can drop off children while they shop. It also offers skating lessons, birthday parties and blade sharpening.

Markham Economist & Sun:
June 19, 1996 (Markham gears up for Canada Day extravaganza). Once at Milne Park, there's an ice skating rink - yes, believe it. Bring your own skates or rent them. What could be more Canadian, eh?
July 3, 1996 (Markham Celebrates the Canadian way). Never mind the cottage, Markham was the place to be on Canada Day...At left, Matthew Hoeg (9 years old) tried something he can tell his grandchildren about someday: Ice Skating on July 1. The Ice-Nook, an artificial ice surface... provided the fun.

Our Customers' Testimonials

• Excellent facility for children and adults to learn to skate
• If this facility was in Shopper's World (a mall approximately 5kms away), which is beside my home, I could come more often
• Excellent activity for those children too old to go to children's centre
• Every time we've come, we have a blast. This is an awesome idea
• Ice-Nook is very good. My child can skate while I do my shopping
• Thanks to the staff and particularly the manager for accommodating my two children so well (6 year old boy has learning/attention disability)
• The kids had a great time and learnt to skate well (immigrated to Canada 3 months earlier)
• I and my son have previously used this facility and found it quite accommodating
• The kids are having fun and it is very good to have a facility like this
• We appreciate the friendly professional attitude at the Ice-Nook and have recommended it to our friends
• My daughter has a great time and she looks forward on coming here and having fun
• More than pleased with every service provided by staff and owner
• Ruth enjoys the Ice-Nook and has learned quickly how to skate
• Because of Ice-Nook, I now shop more often at BCC
• Excellent place for people of all ages to come
• I am very happy with your facility. The staff is wonderful. I intend to use the facility frequently.

Copyright 1996/97, Ice-Nook Family Skating Centres