Update Feb. 8: The opening of the skating rink has been rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 13 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Original post from Jan. 19 follows below.
Ansonia residents with a hankering to hone their ice skating skills can do so free of charge come next month.
Mayor David Cassetti announced at last week’s Board of Aldermen’s meeting that the city bought a portable skating rink that will open at Nolan Field in February.
Crews from the city’s Department of Public Works set up the 80-by-80-foot rink on the Nolan Field gridiron last week.
On Friday (Jan. 15), firefighters from Fountain Hose Co. 1 filled the rink with 14,000 gallons of water.
Article continues after picture, which was posted on the Ansonia Fire Department’s Facebook page.
Cassetti said he came up with the idea to give kids — and their parents — something to do in the winter.
“I wanted to do something in the wintertime because there’s not much activity in the wintertime because it’s too cold out,” Cassetti said. “I thought ice skating would be a good sport to have for the residents.”
Other amenities will be offered, too.
“I also want to have a bonfire because you don’t want to come out in 20-degree weather and freeze,” Cassetti said. “You want to be able to stay warm, have some hot chocolate. I’m going to try it out this year and see how it is.”
The rink will be open to city residents and guests, Cassetti said.
Bring your own skates.
The mayor said Tuesday (Jan. 19) that he plans to open the rink Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Hours will be Wednesday through Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m.
Nolan Field is located at 350 Wakelee Ave.
The $4,500 cost of buying the rink was paid out of the public works budget, the mayor said.
The mayor said officials will see how things play out, but could keep the rink open past February.
“If the weather looks like it’ll stay cold we might keep it open a couple weeks,” Cassetti said.
