October 7, 2022 |
The Platte Valley Kiwanis will set up their portable ice rink on Veteran’s Island in Saratoga this year. This will be the third year for the wintertime activity, and the first at the new location.
Cindy Carnes, secretary for the Platte Valley Kiwanis, explained some of the reasons they chose the new site.
Pictured above: A child skating on the Kiwanis ice rink at the downtown Saratoga location. Photo by Matt Copeland/Bigfoot 99.
The ice rink we will be set up where the skate park is now on the island. They will move the ramps to make room. Lights are already set up on the site and the fence allow them to keep out unwanted visitors. Carnes mentioned how destructive wildlife can be.
At the rink, Kiwanis will have bins of ice skates donated by Bridge Street Bargains for people to use. Helmets will also be provided. A Kiwanis member has made skate trainers for novice ice-skaters. The Saratoga Parks and Recreation Department has adjustable ice-skates available at the rec center.
Once the ice is completely frozen, Carnes said the Kiwanis club will have a get-together for the children.
Notice of their events will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce and Platte Valley Kawanis Facebook pages.
The change of venue was purely about space and security. The flat concrete of the skate park will allow a larger rink to be set up. And the fence will keep critters off the ice. Carnes said the American Legion was more than happy to allow Kawanis to use their park.
In the early 2000’s, there used to be a makeshift ice-skating rink on Veteran’s Island. Located next to the skate park, it was, pretty much, a large tarp surrounded by berms to keep the water in. Carnes said when the idea was brought up to bring back the ice rink, the town had looked for the old liner, but no one could find it.
During last Tuesday’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Recreation Director Sarah Laughlin asked the town to approve the move. Councilwoman D’Ron Campbell explained to the rest of the council why Kawanis wanted to use the skate park.
The council approved the motion.
In the past, the Saratoga Fire Department has provided the water needed to fill the rink. Details for water delivery at the new site haven’t been hammered out yet, but Carnes said it was safe to believe the FD would continue to do it.
The ice rink will be open to the public once the weather is consistently below freezing. People of all ages are welcome to come. They can bring their own skates or use the donated ones available on-site.
