Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) established Dulwich Community Programmes (DCP) in 2012 at the school’s Legend Gardens campus to offer after-school sports and activities for the whole Beijing community. The seasonal programs include summer and winter camps, sports, science, music, drama, and dance for kids of all ages.
Last year, DCB unveiled an outdoor skating rink available to the public and DCP students aged 7-18. From November to mid-March, DCP programs like figure skating, synchronized team skating, basic skating lessons, and ice hockey take place at the skating rink. The latter covers an area of nearly 800sqm and can comfortably fit around 50 people.
The rink is open to the public on weekends and can also be rented in its entirety for RMB 800 per hour or half the space for RMB 400, including skates. All visitors – including adults – must bring their own helmets and pads or they won’t be allowed on the rink. These were available for rent last year, but the school revised its policy when most weren’t returned. For those who want to play hockey, there are a few sticks and pucks available for rent.
Birthday revelers may also book the small or large private rooms in the warm, parent-run Coffee and Books cafe in the Sports Dome for RMB 100. DCB has plans to build a clubhouse for multi-purpose use, but this won’t be ready till February 2015. Decorations, the birthday cake, and drinks are not provided, but the school can arrange for an ayi to clean up for RMB 15 per hour.
The ice rink can only be rented on weekday evenings from 7pm to 9pm and any time on weekends when school is in session. In the evening, fairy lights will be switched on for the duration of the party. Use of the nearby playground is free. Parents can also request to set up their own birthday decorations outdoors.
DCB can also arrange an ice skating coach for up to 20 children for RMB 400 per hour; this can be tailored to party requirements. The coach is Swedish-born Camilla Ojansivu, the DCP and sports facilities manager, a former competitive figure skater with coaching certifications from the International Skating Institute Asia (and Mrs. Claus for beijingkids’ annual Santa on Ice event). Birthday boys and girls who want to play a bit of hockey can also talk to Coach Curtis Dracz, the co-commissioner of the Beijing International Ice Hockey League.
DCB Skating Rink
One-time fee: RMB 50 (includes skates). Sat 3.30-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm (public skating hours). Legend Garden Villas, 89 Capital Airport Road, Shunyi (6454 9150, DCP@dulwich-beijing.cn) www.dulwich-beijing.cn 顺义区首都机场路89号丽京花园德威国际学校
This article originally appeared on p17 in the December 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.
Photos: courtesy of DCB and by Dave PiXSTUDIO
