ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A new cold-weather recreation opportunity is coming to Escanaba later this month.
In the summer, Enhance Escanaba raised $75,000 and secured a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to purchase a refrigerated ice rink. The nonprofit also qualified for an additional $25,000 to make the rink handicap accessible.
“Three years of work, and this is the culmination of all of our efforts, so we’re absolutely thrilled,” said Enhance Escanaba President Karen Moore. “Nobody really knows what effect this is going to have on the community, but we think it’s going to be all positive, so we’re looking forward to that.”
On Thursday, the rink finally began to take shape. City crews spent the day building the rink, installing lighting fixtures, and setting up the chillers. The chillers will allow the public to skate on the ice from November through March, as long as temperatures are below 50 degrees.
“Come down and enjoy yourselves,” Moore said. “Bring your family and friends.”
Enhance Escanaba will host a ribbon cutting for the rink on Friday, November 20, at 4 p.m. Click here to learn more about the project.
