On any given winter day, it's no surprise to see sledders taking advantage of Mill Creek Park. But what about those who want to ice skate? That's what Nick DuBos asked and he took that question to the Park's Board of Commissioners Monday night.
"You see pictures all the time of people skating outdoors in Pittsburgh or New York and how nice it is. Why can't we have that in Youngstown?," asked DuBos.
For the park's commissioners, that answer was easy. The mounting debt for ongoing repair combined with dwindling attendance were just two of the reasons the rink shut down during the 2001 winter season. Plus, everything as it stood back then no longer exists.
"Many of us would like to see the rink come back. Unfortunately, the rink now, as you knew it, is gone. The concrete pad is gone. All the infrastructure is gone," said board member Ginny Dailey.
But DuBos, a Campbell native, believes now is the perfect time to examine the feasibility of reopening the rink, since three of the four commissioners are new. He's also enlisted the help of Fourth Ward Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti, whose constituents live in the area. They both believe adding partners and sponsorships could be the way to go.
"But, I also believe you have to have good fundraising, grants, philanthropy. I think there's a lot of people that want to see the ice rink re-opened," said DuBos.
At the meeting, newly elected board President Jay Macejko promised DuBos that the possibility of reopening or building a new rink is something that will be discussed in the future, but financial responsibility is their priority.
"It's not a no," said Linda Kostka, Mill Creek's marketing director. "They will take it under advisement, and as things progress we will keep the public informed."
The board will next meet on March 8.
