season ends at wrigley ice rink
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Sponsors and organizers met on Nov. 9 to lay out plans for the rink. Their money, along with funds from the park district, covered the expenses. Westrec Marinas built the rink, which opened Dec. 19. Over 12,000 people this winter visited the ice rink, which was located for the first time this winter on the northwest parking lot of Wrigley Field, according to Chicago Park District spokeswoman Monique Lehman. By R. THOMAS ChicagoTalks.orgTRANSCRIPT
- Lake Effect News - http://www.lakeeffectnews.com -
Season Ends at Wrigley Ice Rink, Future Remains Uncertain
By R. THOMAS
ChicagoTalks.org
The Rink at Wrigley closed its gates for the
season on Feb. 28, and it may not return next year.
Over 12,000 people this winter visited the ice rink, which was located for the first time this
winter on the northwest parking lot of Wrigley Field, according to Chicago Park District
spokeswoman Monique Lehman.
“Compared to last winter’s 10,623 patrons (who visited) Midway Plaisance Ice Rink on 59th
Street and Woodlawn Avenue, the Wrigley ice rink was competitive,” Lehman said.
But, Lehman said, the Wrigley rink did not produce as much money as hoped for the park
district, returning only about $72,000 of a $300,000 investment by funders. This leaves
organizers unsure whether the rink will return next winter.
If the rink had generated excess revenue , it would be used to fund its reopening. But the rink
did not meet that mark, said Max Bever, community outreach director for Ald. Tom Tunney
(44th), who is also a funder for the rink.
“The rink was an experiment,” said Bever. “It’s possible that it may open up next year, but its
depends on funds.”
Using outside funders is not unusual for the park district; most district projects rely on state
funds, aldermen’s menu money and/or private sponsors, Lehman said.
Other rink sponsors included the Ricketts family, the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago, Westrec
Marinas, the Blackhawks, McDonald’s, Harry Caray’s and the Central Lakeview Merchants
Association.
Sponsors and organizers met on Nov. 9 to lay out plans for the rink. Their money, along with
funds from the park district, covered the expenses. Westrec Marinas built the rink, which
opened Dec. 19.
Kevin Jericho’s family of three visited the rink around five times this winter, but he thought it
was pricey.
“I thought it was expensive.” said the Lakeview resident. “So we brought our own skates and
season passes.”
Admission to the rink was $10 for adults and $6 for children, plus an additional fee for skate
rentals. All proceeds helped offset the city’s costs — about $100,000, said Lehman.
Whether the rink will reopen next winter depends largely on the community’s response and
support. To voice your opinion, contact Ald. Tunney’s office at 773-525-6034 or via email at
[email protected], Bever said.
“The park (district’s) efforts alone wouldn’t make it happen again, ” said Lehman. “It would
require community effort.”
Article printed from Lake Effect News: http://www.lakeeffectnews.com
URL to article: http://www.lakeeffectnews.com/2010/03/09/season-ends-at-wrigley-
ice-rink-future-remains-uncertain/
Posted By Lorraine Swanson On March 9, 2010 @ 2:16 AM
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