Main Street Medora Turns into Skating Rink - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

The small town of Medora transforms every summer into one of the state's hottest tourist attractions.

During the winter however, it's a lot--quieter.

Even with the oil boom, the mayor says they have a permanent population of just over 100 people.

But as Amber Schatz shows us, Medora might soon become the state's winter hot-spot.

The cold has not chased away the dream of making Medora a winter destination.

"I know some have already gone out and bought their ice skates, response has been good." says Mayor Doug Ellison.

All ages will soon be able to skate in the middle of this historic town.

"I think this would be a great way to make use of the street in the winter time when it's not busy with traffic." says Ellison.

"I guess there's a lot more kids now than there was a few years ago, they'll enjoy it, but like I say, we're too old to skate, we can walk..." says Joanne Joyce/Medora Resident.

"I've talked with locals that already are buying ice skates for their kids, we might have a problem keeping skates around." says Wally Owen/Lived here his whole life--60 plus years.

Wally Owen has lived here his whole life.

With help from the city-- and a colder winter--his idea for a Winter Festival is finally taking off.

"We've had this vision, not just me, the Medora Chamber of Commerce got behind it, and we're developing an ice skating rink, but we're really developing a winter park. It'll be called Sheila's community winter park." says Wally.

"So many people think we close down in the winter time and that's not true, there are a number of businesses open, this would be another attraction in the winter time." says Mayor Doug Ellison.

It starts with a foundation, and for a town that already knows about show business--they're sliding into "snow business".

"You haven't seen the badlands until you've seen them in the winter time, we just hope this will be a special place to come." says Owen.

In Medora, Amber Schatz, KX News.

Wally says they are hoping to put the liner in and flood the ice rink so it's open by this weekend-- but it depends on the weather.

Long-term, the goal is to have the whole winter park done in three years.