Skaters await freezing weather for ice rink

New site ready but Mother Nature hasn’t been cooperative

Mt. Pleasant’s new community ice rink is as ready as it can get for the skating season, but Mother Nature hasn’t been cooperative.

Set up on a softball field at Island Park, the rink wasn’t scheduled to be open until January but is ready for below freezing temperatures to freeze the shallow water and be ready for use.

City commissioners in October approved the $25,400 purchase using the unassigned fund balance, and the liner, sideboards and brackets have been installed, along with a wooden step and platform have been installed because the manufacturer recommends the system be in place before normal temperatures drop below freezing, City

Manager Aaron Desentz said.

“We anticipate that the rink will be usable sometime in January when our daily below freezing temperatures start to take hold,” Desentz said. “We’ve received solid support from folks that we have talked to.”

Once temperatures allow the water to freeze, the ice will be smoothed over when needed with a hand tool, Desentz said.