LAKEVIEW — Ready to skate gracefully into 2016?
A free community ice rink is expected to open this weekend in Lakeview next to Barcocina, 2901 N. Sheffield Ave.
On Monday, the rink was still under construction, but it should be ready within days, according to the Central Lakeview Merchants Association.
The rink will be open every day from noon to 7 p.m. through Valentine's Day.
The project is sponsored by Chicago View, a business magazine operating under Central Lakeview Merchants.
Work began Dec. 30 on the narrow rink, which spans about 100 feet — slightly shorter than the length of Barcocina. For those who prefer to watch skating rather than participate in the slippery activity, builders added a seating area with patches of turf that will also serve as a changing station.
With the Wrigley Field ice skating on hold while the plaza is under construction, the Barcocina rink is the exclusive spot to skate in Lakeview this winter. The rink takes up the space Barcocina hopes to turn into a sidewalk cafe come spring.
A slightly larger rink in Wicker Park got off to a slow start in December due to the warm weather. Organizers had to wait for seven consecutive days of temperatures below 30 degrees.
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