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Parks Advocacy Group Wants to Bring Ice Rink to LIC Waterfront

By Jeanmarie Evelly | December 4, 2015 6:50pm | Updated on December 7, 2015 8:46am
 A parks group has proposed putting an ice rink over the turf field in Hunters Point South Park during the winter.
A parks group has proposed putting an ice rink over the turf field in Hunters Point South Park during the winter.
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DNAinfo/Jeanmarie Evelly

HUNTERS POINT — A neighborhood volunteer group wants to help bring an ice skating rink to the Long Island City waterfront — and is looking for a corporate sponsor to foot the bill.

The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy says it's looked into the possibility of building a rink over the turf field in Hunters Point South Park in the winter, a project it estimates would take about $500,000 to get off the ground.

"If someone wants to step forward, we would love it," said the group's president, Rob Basch, when asked about the feasibility of bringing ice skating to the park during a Community Board 2 meeting Thursday.

He said the group met with ice rink purveyors about a year and a half ago to have them assess the site, and were told they would need to build an enclosed rink to shield skaters from the biting winds that come off the East River.

The conservancy envisions a clear enclosure in order to maintain views of the waterfront and Manhattan skyline, and said the rink could offer equipment rentals and even host holiday vendors.

But it can't really happen without a sponsor to the fund the project, Basch said.

"It's a high-end project, but it's doable," he said. "It's a great opportunity for the right company that wants to get their branding there, that wants to do something for the community."

In a statement, the Parks Department said it's open to ideas related to year-round recreation for the park, but noted that seasonal rinks can be a financial challenge unless they're located in particularly popular spots, like Central Park.

In Queens, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is home to the World Ice Arena, an NHL regulation-sized rink that's open year-round.

Until funding becomes available, Basch said the conservancy is looking for other ways to offer programming in the park during the winter, including ice sculptures.