10/26/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WINTER SKATING PROGRAM The winter skating season is usually schedule to begin on the third weekend in December, weather permirting. In 1987, the rinks were not able to open until December 28 because of unusually warm weather. Ice sheets were impossible to establish because of the warmth. Last year, the rinks opened on December 23 also due to the warm weather. The weather is a decisive factor in the establishment of rink ice. Unfortunately, the city has no control over the weather. (See last year's memo regarding opening dates). What is an adequate size for pleasure skating rinks? Here is staffs opinion regarding each site: LAMBERT Lambert pleasure skating rink is a round shape, the size of the infield. It is adequate to handle the numbers of skaters at that rink. Staff has observed the rink when Pinewood School has used it for a skating outing. It adequately serves the 60 - 100 skaters during these days. In staffs opinion, the rink is a sufficient size. WOODCREST Woodcrest pleasure skating rink is a rectangular shape that more than adequately serves the pleasure skaters of this area. HILLVIEW This rink at one time was the largest pleasure skating rink in the City. However, it often times was empty except for occasionally 1 - 6 skaters. With the Hillview Park improvements, the pleasure skating rink was reduced in size. Staff believes that it sufficiently handles the number of skaters that currently use the facility. If expansion is desired, the rink could increase to the north approximately 20 - 30 feet. However, a light pole would sit in the middle of the rink. GROVELAND This pleasure skating rink has been various sizes over the years. One year, the neighborhood residents performed the flooding duties and made a large pleasure skating rink. One year two small rinks were established, one to be used for pleasure skating and one to be used for boot hockey and stick hockey. Since that time, the tennis court/hard surface play area has been developed limiting the area to the west. One problem at Groveland is that a swale exists towards the midpoint of the park field. It is a difficult place to flood. If flooding is to be expanded at Groveland, additional fill and grading must be performed. Staff proposes that this rink be expanded slightly to the north to a dimension of 76 ft. x 100 ft. requiring only grading and no fill, because the fill is extremely dimcult to establish ice upon due to its ,va=th and heat absorption.