Ice skaters will have a chance to test out a fresh sheet of ice this weekend with the opening of the Waterstone Bank Ice Rink at Center Street Park in Milwaukee.
The rink, free for the public, is reopening after nearly 25 years. Budget cuts forced it to close in the 1980s.
The rink’s new era was made possible be a collaborative effort among Friends of Center Street Park, Waterstone Bank, Milwaukee County Parks Department, The Park People of Milwaukee County, and Common Council president Michael Murphy.
The Milwaukee Fire Department, Wauwatosa Fire Department, Pettit National Ice Center, Milwaukee Admirals, Colectivo Coffee, Sentry on Lisbon and an army of community volunteers also contributed to preparations for the rink’s reopening.
A 1 p.m. ribbon cutting and reception on Saturday will mark the official start of the skating season at the rink.
The winter venue, which will be overseen by Friends of Center Street Park and volunteers from the Center Street Park neighborhood, includes a warming house in the Center Street Park Pavilion and warm beverages for sale.
Center Street Park is located at 6420 W. Clarke St. in Milwaukee and on the border of Wauwatosa.
