CHICAGO — After a series of successful fundraisers, the Wicker Park ice skating rink will be built at the neighborhood's namesake park on Saturday.
Volunteers with the Wicker Park Advisory Council's WickerICE committee will be working with the Chicago Park District to erect the skating rink starting at 7 a.m. Saturday at Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
After the rink is built, the Chicago Fire Department will come out to add the water, the WickerICE group said in a news release.
The skating rink will likely not open this weekend, however, as the committee still has to determine when weather conditions will allow the rink to stay open daily, the group said. The group is also holding a meeting next week to determine the rink's schedule for hockey, open skate and other events.
An opening date and other information will be posted on the WickerICE Facebook page next week, the group said.
The skating rink at Wicker Park was made possible due to volunteers and crowdsourced funding, the group said.
A GoFundMe page has garnered more than $31,000 for the rink. Local bars in the area also held fundraisers for the rink, and area businesses have agreed to pay for advertising on the rink's walls.
Volunteers with the park advisory council will be on hand Saturday selling WickerICE beanies, with proceeds going to the skating rink and other local endeavors. The beanies will be on sale at the park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are $20 each.
Enough money has been raised to cover the rink's expenses this year, and the group said any additional money raised will go toward next year's rink.
The rink will also be maintained and staffed by volunteers, the advisory group said. More than 80 area residents have agreed to maintain the site, helping to resurface the ice, answer questions and ensure rules are followed.
Ice skates will not be available for rent at the facility, the group said.
Skating at the rink will be free to the public. Outside of a smattering of private ice rinks, there are just eight free outdoor rinks in Chicago Park District parks.
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