Huron nets funds for ice rink

HURON — There's no skating around the issue any longer. After receiving the necessary funding, Huron officials are going forward with creating an outdoor ice skating rink this winter at Fabens Park. Upon debuting, the public can play hockey, race and enjoy other forms of skating. People, however, must bring their own skates, as there won't be an on-site spot to rent them there. Earlier this year, city council members granted permission for administrators to seek outside funding sources in hopes of completely offsetting an $8,000 rental expense Three nonprofits — the Wightman-Wieber, Patrick Murray and Louise E. Murray Charitable and the Rhonda Watt foundations — ponied up the necessary money for this play surface. "Our intent is to have it up and running, weather-dependent, from mid-December through the end of February," said Huron city manager Matt Lasko, who also expressed his appreciation toward the foundations for their monetary contributions. Officials worked with a company that specializes in building temporary outdoor ice staking rinks to install one, about 100-by-60 feet in size, at Fabens Park. "The purpose of the outdoor ice rink is to offer residents an alternative, safe, recreational option during the cold winter months of winter," said Doug Steinwart, the city's operations manager for its parks and recreation department, "The outdoor ice rink concept is to encourage people of all ages to get outdoors while interacting in a physical manner." Increasing recreational opportunities amid wintertime in Huron for community members often tops the priority list for several local organizations, Steinwart said. This would help satisfy that request. Oftentimes in the past, Huron offered ice skating on a grand scale to community members. This occurred in the 1950s and, more recently, about 20 years ago.