All skate: Locals enjoy first day of Massillon's new ice skating rink

Steven M. Grazier, The Independent
·2 min read
Matt Kratz, left, Jacob Kratz and Melissa Kratz, all of Massillon, take to the ice Tuesday morning at the Massillon City Ice Skating Rink. The ice center opened Tuesday to the public and is free to use.
Matt Kratz, left, Jacob Kratz and Melissa Kratz, all of Massillon, take to the ice Tuesday morning at the Massillon City Ice Skating Rink. The ice center opened Tuesday to the public and is free to use.

MASSILLON – A warm group of enthusiastic skaters took to the ice Tuesday morning at the city's newest public attraction.

A short ceremony was held just after 9 a.m. to celebrate the opening of the Massillon City Ice Skating Rink at Wampler Park, 1818 Main Ave. W.

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"This is a great opportunity to get our kids outside and off their devices," said Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, who thanked the approximately 30 people who came out to see the new rink. "We welcome you all to this exciting (new venue)."

A group of kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Massillon enjoyed some skate time Tuesday morning at the new Massillon City Ice Skating Rink.
A group of kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Massillon enjoyed some skate time Tuesday morning at the new Massillon City Ice Skating Rink.

Fresh Mark of Massillon made a $107,000 donation to help construct the new skate center. The 78-by-56 rink can host up to 75 skaters at a time.

About a dozen youths from the Boys & Girls Club of Massillon came out Tuesday morning as part of the rink's first group of skaters.

Melissa Kratz, of Massillon, was one of the inaugural skaters.

"This (place) is nice. We live right around the corner," she said.

The city's skating rink will likely be open into March, said Catazaro-Perry. It's free for all to use and has a lifespan of seven to 10 years.

Massillon synthetic ice rink is staffed by Parks & Rec workers

The rink is being staffed by two city Parks and Recreation Department employees.

Ice skates are available for use at no cost at the new Massillon City Ice Skating Rink, which opened Tuesday morning at Wampler Park.
Ice skates are available for use at no cost at the new Massillon City Ice Skating Rink, which opened Tuesday morning at Wampler Park.

Ice skates are being provided by the city at no cost, according to Steve Pedro, the city's Parks & Rec director, adding that individually-owned skates can also be utilized as long as they don't have the rigid toe stoppers in the front.

Skates provided on site range in size from size 9 youth to size 12 adult. Everyone who skates is asked to sign a waiver form prior to taking to the ice.

The synthetic ice surface connects in pieces, and can be taken apart and stored when not in use.

Fresh Mark provided funding for the rink, lighting, a shed, the skates and other items needed for the rink, which is similar to one installed at North Park in Jackson last winter.

The City of Massillon Ice Skating Rink opened to the public on Tuesday.
The City of Massillon Ice Skating Rink opened to the public on Tuesday.

Skating is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this week through Saturday, as well as on Jan. 2. The rink is closed Sunday for New Year's Day.

The skating schedule for the remainder of next week has not yet been posted and is subject to change.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon synthetic ice skating rink opens Wampler Park