VILLAGE OF MANLIUS – On Jan. 30, the Village of Manlius debuted a new community ice skating rink in the outfield of the baseball field at 1 Arkie Albanese Avenue.
Weather permitting, the ice is available Sunday through Thursday for open skating from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and for “Sticks and Pucks” from 7 to 9 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday, open skating is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Sticks and Pucks sessions are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
According to Director of Recreation Christine Roet, the Sticks and Pucks sessions are not organized hockey events; instead, they are designated times for community members to practice their hockey skills or get together for pickup games.
“We are trying to keep everyone safe by offering specific times for pickup and open skate,” she explained.
Creating the rink, which is located beside the Lower Swan Pond, was a multi-step process that involved clearing the snow, misting the area with water to encourage the ground to freeze, and then gradually building up many layers of ice.
The project is a joint effort of the Village of Manlius Department of Public Works (DPW), the Village of Manlius Recreation Department, and the Manlius Fire Department.
“The DPW has been crucial in the completion and maintenance of the rink — including making our very own Zamboni,” she noted.
According to Roet, the village has not had skating for several decades.
In the 1950s and early ’60s, skating was offered on the Upper Swan Pond. Then, in the 1970s, the village had a rink by the recreation building on Stickley Drive.
“We are long overdue for this opportunity,” Roet said. “The response from the community has been excellent. The more outdoor and COVID-safe options we have to embrace these long winter months, the better. We at the Village of Manlius sincerely hope that everyone enjoys this newest addition to our Village Center.”
Any rink closings will be posted on the Village of Manlius website and the “Village of Manlius Recreation” Facebook page.
For more information, call 315-682-7887 or email [email protected].