New ice skating rink in Troy awaits colder temperatures

If winter ever comes to Troy, by mid-January a skating rink will be ready for locals to lace-up their skates and start to glissade. The rink is located between the tennis courts at the Troy Activity Center.

Nia Vestal secured a community grant through Plum Creek that helped the project come to fruition. With an additional donation from the timber company and one from Troy Park and Recreation the rink was able to be completed.

The high school will handle the water and lighting costs.

“Hopefully it gets cold,” said Vestal. For now, the rink doesn’t have a refrigeration system, so temperatures need to drop before it will be operational.

A foam liner will be put around the rink to make it friendlier when a skater inevitably goes down. Safety signs will also be erected giving users the rules of the rink.

Vestal said skates, sticks, pucks and helmets have been ordered for those who may not have their own equipment. There will also be educational opportunities for people to gain proper stick skills.

There is also the possibility to increase the size of the rink at a later date, which would entail moving it to another site.

The rink will be open and free to the public.

Concrete blocks are also being added around the tennis courts to creat a short retaining wall, adding to the aesthetics of the outdoor facilities.