Warm weather slows rink openings

Making ice during the recent freeze-thaw weather has been a bit of an issue, according to Mary Morgan, Superior Parks and Recreation administrator.

“Our crews have been laying down water at our rink facilities during cold weather for weeks, only to have it warm up and disappear,” she said.

Ideally, the skating program would begin in conjunction with the winter break that students start on Saturday. But only a handful of rinks will have the proper ice conditions by Saturday. So the Parks and Recreation Division is implementing an idea suggested by a volunteer at Superior Amateur Hockey Association (SAHA). Partnering with SAHA, Parks and Recreation crews sponsor City Free Skate at Superior Ice Arena’s outdoor rinks, located west of or behind the facility, 1015 Oakes Ave.

City of Superior recreation monitors host the free skate for kids, adults and families 1-4 p.m. today through Jan. 1.

A select number of city rinks may also be available for skating, but skaters should check their neighborhood rink.

At this point it looks like Pattison hockey rink and pleasure rinks, 1016 Faxon Ave., should open, Morgan said, along with hockey rinks only at Red Barn rink at Ninth Avenue East and East Sixth Street, Gullo Park, 510 26th Ave. E. and Wade Bowl, 1228 Clough Ave.

Skaters may call the Parks and Recreation hotline at 715-395-7299 for the most up to date information.

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