PROVO -- Talk about a warm reception.
Mitt Romney gave the new Provo ice arena a welcome that is usually reserved for his wife, Ann.He bent down and kissed the ice.
Romney, leader of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, was among the throngs of dignitaries, boosters and excited Utah County residents who turned out Thursday to the grand opening of the $12.4 million Peaks Ice Arena.
The 110,000 square-foot building will be the spot in 2002 to see international battling for medals in women's hockey contests.
"We will literally host the world here in Provo," said Provo Mayor Lewis Billings.
But that's three years away. In the meantime, the 8,700-seat arena, which has been open for business since last November, will be home to aspiring figure skaters, hockey enthusiasts and families in search of fun on the ice.
And Thursday's event was no exception.
Armed with flags of countries scheduled to compete in women's hockey in 2002, skaters from the Timpanogos Amateur Hockey Association and the Timpanogos Figure Skating Club circled the Olympic-size rink, showing off fancy footwork.
Figure skaters, hockey players and speed skaters also thrilled the crowd, giving a quick look at the sporting events that could be featured at the arena, which was paid for with private and public funds.
Before an invitation was issued to the crowd to step onto the ice, Billings thanked Utah County residents for their financial support to build the arena. Attendees spent the rest of the evening playing curling and hockey games on the ice.
To cap off the celebration, two of the top women's hockey squads will face off Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. at the newly minted arena. The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and the University of Calgary Oval Extremes are the featured teams. Nine Olympic players are counted on the two teams.
"This is our first opportunity to introduce hockey to the community," said Leland Gamette, Provo's director of economic development.
Tickets for the weekend games between the Bulldogs and the Oval Extreme are $5 each or $4 per person for families of five or more and can also be purchased at any Far West Bank or Bank of American Fork in Utah County.
The Peaks Ice Arena is at 100 N. Seven Peaks Blvd. For more information, call 852-7100.