(Photo via Unsplash).
Outdoor rinks have been set up in various locations of Cortland County, meaning it’s almost time for people to prepare their ice skates.
Now, the outside temperatures have to be consistently cold for the rinks to be open regularly or daily. The City of Cortland and Village of Homer both built their outdoor rinks for the winter season in the first couple of weeks this month.
Cortland’s rink is located in Courthouse Park near Church Street, while the one in Homer is on the Village Green off Main Street.
Both rinks were built last winter, but due to abnormally mild temperatures and issues with ice, the rinks were closed more than they were open.
City mayor Scott Steve and Homer recreation director Andrew Pierce each said outdoor temperatures have to be consistently below freezing for the rink to be frequently open and to have layers of ice on the surface.
“It’ll be nice to get out there and skate like last year,” Steve said, noting this season’s opening date has yet to be determined.
The outdoor rink at Courthouse Park in the city of Cortland. (Photo via Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Pierce noted that he is hoping the rink in the village will be open New Years Weekend or sometime at the beginning of January.
“It’s a great asset for the village during the winter months,” Pierce said. “We’re excited to be able to offer it.”
The outdoor rink at the Village Green in Homer. (Photo provided by the Village of Homer Recreation Department).
The rink at Courthouse Park is in the same position as last winter. The rink at the Village Green, however, went from east-west to north-south for “less of a slope, less of a grade,” Pierce said.
“It’s easier to place ice on the surface. Last year, ice wasn’t freezing consistently,” Pierce added.
Both rinks require people to bring their own ice skates.
