Gajah Mada Plaza gets skating rink

JAKARTA (JP): Ponderosa Group, which holds the local franchises for the Pizza Hut and Amigos restaurant chains, and Putt-Putt Golf & Games from the United States, introduced yesterday a facility for ice skating on synthetic ice.

Ponderosa was appointed by management consulting firm Grant Thornton Byrindo. The facility at Gajah Mada Plaza, Central Jakarta, called Super Ice and Cafe, is run by PT Putt-Putt Indonesia.

With entry fees of Rp 6,000 (92 US cents) for the first hour and Rp 2,000 for every hour thereafter, the management claims the facility is cheaper than the capital's other skating rinks, in Taman Anggrek Mall, West Jakarta, and Mega Mall Pluit in North Jakarta.

Taman Anggrek, in contrast, charges Rp 10,000 every two hours.

The attraction at Gajah Mada Plaza in Jakarta, is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, James S. Kalaman of Ponderosa said.

"Japan and South Korea already have these facilities," Ron Mullers, the chief executive officer of Ponderosa said of the new ice 'rink,' the surface of which resembles ordinary tiles instead of ice.

Mullers added the low charge was made possible by cheaper maintenance expenses. The cost to install the facility on the mall's first floor was US$50,000.

The Gajah Mada management said the plaza was chosen because of its strategic location for its target market of youths and families.

Other facilities will include a cafe, a video screen and putt- putt golf.

"It's also for all those who do not like the wet and cold aspect of normal ice skating," said Yulie Choo, the marketing manager. (Monika W.)