Outdoor Ice Skating Rink Postponed Until Next Winter

for a first-time outdoor skating rink at this winter. Only one problem: There was barely a winter.

Lack of snow staved off the rink even after the Wellesley Recreation Commission had all the plans lined up. But a rink will be put in place next winter – “weather permitting” – according to Andrew Wrobel, chair of the recreation commission.

Wrobel e-mailed Wellesley Patch an update on the outdoor skating rink:

We want to have skating under the lights in a green field-friendly way.  In the off season we will be working with DPW to examine alternatives for getting water more easily to the site.  We will also be looking again for private partners to "sponsor" the rink.  Recreation is increasingly looking for key sponsors for events to help us to be able to have more events without additional expense to the town.  These type of public/private partnerships have also helped to sharpen branding and increase awareness for businesses in the Wellesley area.  With every Wellesley resident receiving our programming guide and thousands taking classes or attending events, the sponsorships have helped many of the businesses in town.

Finally, Wellesley Recreation will continue to examine additional opportunities for recreation spaces for skating, skiing, swimming, etc.  For example, Rec is preparing for the return of the old Hunnewell basketball courts from high school parking next year and is investigating possible multi-season uses for that space.