ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Summer may be quickly approaching, but a Delta County nonprofit has its sights set on a cold-weather project.
The City of Escanaba used to be home to several outdoor ice rinks. However, that has not been the case for some time.
“Escanaba in the ’50s and ’60s had four or five ice rinks,” said Karen Moore, President of Enhance Escanaba. “It was slowly reduced to two, one at Stephenson and one at Royce Park. Eventually, it was reduced to one they had at the Civic Center. They tried that for a year or two, and it just didn’t work because it has to be 15 degrees or colder to make ice. They could make ice for a couple weeks, and then it would warm up, so it wasn’t cost-effective.”
A few years ago, Enhance Escanaba came up with the idea of installing a refrigerated ice rink in Ludington Park.
“We wanted to bring back that experience of skating outdoors,” Moore said. “We have this wonderful park. It’s utilized in the summer, but in the winter, it’s very underutilized. A refrigerated ice rink is kind of new technology, and we’re going to be the first one in the U.P.”
That technology involves chillers, which ensure a frozen rink no matter the weather.
“The chillers only run when the temperature is above 20 degrees,” Moore explained. “If we have colder weather, then they don’t run that much.”
The chillers would also allow for a longer skating season than a traditional outdoor rink.
“The distributor, they have a formula based on our climate,” said Moore. “They say from November 1 to the end of March, you can skate under 50 degrees. Even at the height of skating when our weather was conducive to skating, there was no way that we were skating for five months.”
To make this dream a reality, Enhance Escanaba has been working to secure $250,000. That is being done partially through crowdfunding and partially through grant funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
“Because we made the rink handicap accessible, we qualified for an extra $25,000, so right now we’re in the process of raising the $75,000,” Moore said. “As soon as we do, the MEDC matches it, and then we’ll have our goal of $250,000. We’re getting there! We still need help, but we seem to be generating enthusiasm.”
Through June 30, the public can support the project on Patronicity, where the fundraising currently sits at nearly $30,000. If the crowdfunding effort is successful, the community will be able to enjoy the rink this winter.
“We want to encourage other events, like a winter festival, maybe sled dog rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, Christmas tree decorating,” said Moore. “Someone even suggested snow volleyball. We want kids growing up now to have outdoor ice skating memories like we did when we were skating. That’s the whole idea.”
To back the project on Patronicity or to learn more about it, click here. Additional information is available at enhanceescanaba.org.
