Ten years and counting from close of Mill Creek Park ice rink

This winter marks 10 years since the Mill Creek Park ice-skating rink closed. The park is in the process of developing a long-range plan, and it is my hope that reopening the rink is part of the plan. Through my interactions with park officials, I believe that they would like to see the rink reopened if “fiscally prudent.”

I believe reopening the rink is not only feasible but it is also within the Mill Creek Park Mission Statement, part of which says: “The mission of Mill Creek Park is to provide park, recreational, and open space facilities of regional significance ... make improvements to MetroParks facilities, develop additional recreational opportunities.” This being said, the rink is of “regional significance” in that it is the only permanent outdoor ice rink in the region and reopening it would certainly “make improvements” to the existing facility, which is wasting away.

In my opinion, this is how Mill Creek Park should go about reopening and maintaining the rink.

First, once a price-tag is established — most likely in the one million dollar range — park management must initiate a well-publicized fund-raising effort aimed solely at the rink. While the rink is a community asset, it is especially for children. Many individuals, especially philanthropists, would give generously for this fact alone. Use social media outlets, such as Facebook, to draw attention to the rink, engage the public, and make it easy to donate. Secondly, apply for federal and state regional development grants that can be used for restoring the rink to community use. Third, sponsorship of the rink must be pursued — for all I care the rink can be called the “Pepsi Ice Rink at Mill Creek Park.” Fourth, once the rink is built, the park must be aggressive in marketing the rink to hockey clubs and teenagers (example birthday parties), who together make up a large percentage of paying customers besides those who use the rink during normal operating hours. Fifth, find other ways to bring in extra income. For example, the rink at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh now has miniature golf during warmer months as a way to bring in extra income. I was told by park personnel that Farmers Markets can also be a great way to make extra income during the off season. What about flea markets? Schenley Park’s rink also has a decent size banquet room that is used throughout the year and a portion of the money earned goes towards the rink. Can Mill Creek Park do something similar with its many rental facilities?

To let a gem of a rink rot away for 10n years is inexcusable. This is not just about a closed ice rink — it’s about community pride.

Nicholas DuBos, Pittsburgh

The writer is a Youngstown native attending college in Pittsburgh. He has a “Friends of Mill Creek Park Ice Rink” Facebook page.