A Magic Season standard in Bellevue has long been playing host to the region’s largest open-air ice skating rink, and John Stewart has seen its magic in action for years now.

Supervisor for Ice Rink Events, Stewart oversaw the erection of the Bellevue Downtown Association’s Magic Season Ice Arena this month, which started with four days of draining the pond at Downtown Park to erect the arena platform.

Last week the rink crew put down the sheeting — the BDA added 250 square feet of rink this year — and ran 25 miles of tubing through it.

“It’s pretty tedious,” Stewart said. “You can see there are little slots they fit in and there’s a lot of walking around to make sure they fit in.”

A combination of water and specialized fluid was run through the arena Monday, in conjunction with “The Chiller,” which is what Stewart calls the large refrigeration unit that causes the mix to freeze into a 3-4 inch skating surface.

Mike Ogliore, BDA vice president of events and operations, said blue lighting will be a new element for the open-air arena, which opens today through Jan. 11. It adds to the holiday feel of the decked-out arena, but it also will be mood lighting for one of Stewart’s favorite surprise events at the arena — marriage proposals.

Every Magic Season for the past few years he’s seen a few take a knee on the ice to pop the big question, Stewart said, counting three last year, one of whom was the producer of Animal Planet who proposed to his ex-Olympic figure skating girlfriend.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Stewart said.

But wedding engagements will account for less than a percent of the 40,000 skaters the arena entertains every year, and most days the arena will be offering some type of deal or event:

• $12 admission (includes skate rental), $9 for ages 8 and under (includes skate rental)
• Free Skate Mondays: Show your Bank of America debit or credit card or Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card to receive two free skate admissions for skating on Mondays
• Advance Discount Admission Pass: Purchase 10 skating passes (includes skate rental) for $85 (a $35 savings)
• Special events like free lessons, skate with the T-Birds, stroller skating and family skate days
• Booking availability for private holiday and birthday parties