Area rinks get ready to go

By CHRISTOPHER DIEM, Journal Staff Writer
MARQUETTE — Recent cold weather has made ideal conditions for creating outdoor ice rinks in the city of Marquette.


Public Works Superintendent Scott Cambensy said city crews have been watering ice rinks at the north Marquette athletic fields and on West Baraga Avenue.


Mona Lang, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said the DDA operated ice rink at the Marquette Commons building should be ready by Sunday.


“We’ve already had people skating on it but it hasn’t been groomed,” she said.


She said the facility has been rented for a private party on Saturday night but the rink will be open and groomed on Sunday.


“The rink will be groomed and staffed from (noon) to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays,” Lang said, noting it is the same schedule as last year.


She said last year’s mild winter kept the rink free of ice for most of the season, with an accumulated total of about 1,100 people skating during staffed hours.


“I’m thrilled that we may be able to extend the season this year,” she said.