'A perfect winter activity': Massillon synthetic ice rink to open Tuesday

Amy L. Knapp, The Independent
·2 min read
Massillon Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Joe Pape, left, and maintenance supervisor Chris Moser, right, with the help of Chris Crowley with Global Synthetic Ice, build a skating rink in Wampler Park. The rink opens Tuesday.
Massillon Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Joe Pape, left, and maintenance supervisor Chris Moser, right, with the help of Chris Crowley with Global Synthetic Ice, build a skating rink in Wampler Park. The rink opens Tuesday.

MASSILLON — The city's newest attraction — an artificial ice rink — is set to open.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the Massillon Ice Skating Rink will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Wampler Park, 1818 Main Ave. W.

Fresh Mark donated $107,000 to help construct the new skate center. The 78-by-56-foot rink will be able to host up to 75 skaters at a time. The synthetic surface connects in pieces, and can be taken apart and stored when not in use.

The rink is similar to one installed at North Park in Jackson last winter.

Skating and borrowed skates are free.

"This is a perfect winter activity for our young and young at heart and best of all the skates are provided at no cost," Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry said. "We are honored to work with Fresh Mark on this project to provide this wonderful gift to our community.”

Fresh Mark, the mayor said, provided funding for the rink, lighting, a shed, the skates and other items needed.

"The beauty of this is it's all free," Catazaro-Perry said. "One of the best things is we will get the kids off their devices, social media, and gaming and get them outdoors. It's just so exciting. Fresh Mark took care of everything right down to the last little detail."

The synthetic surface allows for the rink to be used in all temperatures. The mayor said the rink will be used during the winter months likely through sometime in March. Next year, the rink will be ready to go before the holidays, she added.

Chris Crowley, left, with Global Synthetic Ice, along Massillon Parks and Recreation maintenance supervisor Chris Moser, center, and Superintendent Joe Pape, build a skating rink in Wampler Park. The rink opens Tuesday.
Chris Crowley, left, with Global Synthetic Ice, along Massillon Parks and Recreation maintenance supervisor Chris Moser, center, and Superintendent Joe Pape, build a skating rink in Wampler Park. The rink opens Tuesday.

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Those who have their own skates can use the rink anytime during park hours.

During the holiday week, skates will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 2. The rink is closed Jan. 1.

Beginning Jan. 5, skates will be provided from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. The times are subject to change, city officials said. Skates range in size from size 9 youth to size 12 adult.

While there will be someone on hand during specific hours, the mayor said skating will be at the skaters own risk and there will be a list of rules that need to be followed.

The rink will be in the parking lot near the hockey rink at Wampler, Parks and Rec Director Steve Pedro said, however, there is still plenty of parking.

"It's a great addition to our community and for parks and rec to be able to offer this activity and there is no charge," Pedro said.

Reach Amy at 330-224-1662 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

The Massillon Parks and Recreation Department, with the help of Global Synthetic Ice, is building a skating rink at Wampler Park. The rink opens Tuesday.
The Massillon Parks and Recreation Department, with the help of Global Synthetic Ice, is building a skating rink at Wampler Park. The rink opens Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon officials hyped about opening of free city ice rink