City of New Haven
A city design of the renovated rink.
The long-shuttered Ralph Walker Skating Rink will reopen later this month.
That’s according to a Wednesday press release from city spokesman Laurence Grotheer.
“Mayor Toni N. Harp, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Trees Director Rebecca Bombero, and City Engineer Giovanni Zinn announced today the planned reopening of the Ralph Walker Rink, set for Saturday, February 16,” Grotheer wrote. “Phase I of a thorough renovation of the facility will be complete by that time. Today, as city officials prepare to begin laying ice once again, they announced the rink will re-open in time for February break.”
The city closed the East Rock skating rink in 2016 because of disrepair. Mayor Harp initially planned on closing it for good, but changed her mind because of public outcry. The city has since launched a two-phase renovation.
In April 2018, Albertus Magnus College announced the creation of a varsity men’s hockey team, and ponied up $300,000 to turn the rink into its home ice.
Grotheer said the grand re-opening celebration will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16 starting at 1:30 p.m.
Phase I renovations have included an expanded roof and ice length, new views of East Rock park, new dasher boards, a new and more efficient compressor system, and updated plumbing to service existing bathrooms.
“The newly renovated rink will stay open through mid-March,” he wrote, “when Phase II renovations will begin. Phase II renovations are scheduled to include locker rooms (one to serve as the home of the new Division III Albertus Hockey team) and a new concessions building with a separate party room.”
Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/ralphwalkericerink/.