Outdoor recreational ice skating is expected to return to the Elm City this winter.
“We have a long tradition of skating in the city,” said Rebecca Bombero, New Haven’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees Director.
This winter the Ralph Walker Skating Rink on State St. is closed as the city considers how to renovate and repair the outdated facility.
“Last year we had significant operational problems including the loss of our restrooms,” Bombero said.
Bombero said she searched for other options to open a temporary rink.
“As I was calling through some of my colleagues,” she said, “trying to figure out what they had, what equipment they use, Southbury wasn’t using theirs for this season.”
The New Haven Board of Alders is voting Monday night to authorize a $1000 lease with the Town of Southbury to rent its outdoor ice rink equipment
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“They seem very excited about the proposal,” Bombero said.
Once approved, there will soon be a smooth ice surface in place of the puddles at the Andrew Salperto Skating Rink at East Shore Park.
“We’re at Mother Nature’s mercy,” Bombero said, “and we need to be outdoors and this skating facility closed well over a decade ago and it’s a great location for us to freeze the ice.”
Carla Delucia, her husband and their dog spend plenty of time at the park.
“We’d love them to open it, yeah the kids would have something to do in the winter,” Delucia said. “My grandson wants to learn to skate, he’s five, yeah, so we’ll definitely be here.”
After three to four nights of below freezing temperatures, the city will announce when the outdoor ice rink will open.
Skate rentals will cost $3 and admission fees will range from $3-6.
