Cold Hands, Warm Heart! The Southwest Rink At Skyline Park Welcomes Denver Residents To The Ice

DALLAS, Nov. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) and the Downtown Denver Partnership are pleased to welcome Mile High Residents to take a spin on the ice at the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park.  The rink opened today with Executive Director of Children's Affairs for the City and County of Denver Erin Brown, Downtown Denver Partnership CEO & President Tami Door, Children's Hospital Colorado Corporate Giving Senior Manager Kendall Cordova, and Southwest Airlines Community Affairs & Grassroots Regional Leader Jane McAtee, along with families from Children's Hospital Colorado.

To celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Southwest Rink in Downtown Denver, Southwest welcomed families from the Children's Hospital Colorado to the Southwest Rink to be among the first to enjoy the freshly-frozen ice.  Southwest Airlines is proud to partner with The Children's Hospital Colorado year-round through the Medical Transportation Grant Program, and since 2010 the hospital has received more than $200,000 worth of airfare for patient travel. Southwest extended its giving Heart within the Community by encouraging Rink visitors to donate a new children/teen book for Children's Hospital Colorado throughout the entire Rink season in exchange for free skate rentals. To foster the giving spirit, Southwest Representatives donated a Santa bag full of toys and books from the hospital's holiday wish list.

"Each year, the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park quickly becomes a highlight for Denver residents to kick off the winter season," said Erin Brown, Executive Director of Denver's Office of Children's Affairs. "The Rink brings together the spirit of Colorado, and our innate love for the outdoors, to meet downtown in the heart of our city. Thanks to the collaboration between the City and County of Denver, Southwest Airlines, and the Downtown Denver Partnership, Denver continues to build community and create family memories that will last a lifetime."

Brown also announced at the grand opening that Denver students with the MY Denver card will receive free skate rentals at the Southwest Rink throughout the season.

"Nearly 49,000 Denver residents, employees, and visitors laced up their skates last year at the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park," said Downtown Denver Partnership's CEO & President Tami Door. "The Southwest Rink is a shining example of how activation can turn Downtown's public spaces into places that people "LUV".  We thank Southwest Airlines for making this a possibility and for their continued investment in the center city."

"Southwest Airlines is dedicated to becoming an integral part of the communities that we serve, and that is especially true in Denver," said Jane McAtee, Southwest Airlines Community Affairs & Grassroots Regional Leader.  "We value the people of Denver, and we're proud to offer a gathering place for the residents of the Mile High City to enjoy time together. We're looking forward to another wonderful year of outdoor events with the Downtown Denver Partnership here at the rink!"

Last year, the Rink welcomed nearly 49,000 visitors to take to the ice and enjoy the festivities.  After five seasons of the Southwest Rink, more than 212,530 skaters have taken a spin on the rink, and the sixth season is expected to bring in record numbers of skaters!

The Rink is located in Skyline Park next to the historic Daniels & Fisher Tower and near the intersection of 16th and Arapahoe streets. Skating will once again be FREE to the public with the option to bring skates or rent a pair for just $2. To bring some extra cheer to families visiting the Downtown Denver area this holiday season, the Rink will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For more information, hours, and programming, visit southwestrink.com

The Rink is made possible by a public-private partnership among the City of Denver Parks and Recreation Department, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on Jan. 3, 2006, with 13 daily nonstop departures to three destinations.  The airline currently operates 183 daily nonstop flights to 58 destinations from Denver, including international service to Puerto Vallarta, San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos and Cancun, Mexico.  Southwest is also actively engaged in the community through sponsorships of the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Nuggets, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Concerts for Kids, Volunteers of America and many more local organizations.  Find more about Southwest's dedication to Denver here.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 48,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 97 destinations across the United States and seven additional countries.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity.  That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Apple Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created Transfarency℠, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free®  to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets.  With 42 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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