Van Cortlandt Park Ice Rink Taken Down

  The above photos are of the building of and skating on the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink (Mr. Ron Kraut the director of the Van Cortlandt Park is shown from a past photo). The rink closed this year for the season at the end of February.

  It was announced at the March Community Board 8 Park's committee meeting that Mr. Ron Kraut (director of the rink) said that this year the season was only 15 weeks out of the scheduled 16 weeks. He said that attendance was down, but that could be due to several factor such as a shooting at the Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink, the hot and cold weather, and the problem of the chillers working properly the last two weeks that the rink was in operation.

  It was also mentioned that Mr. Kraut would like to return next season, but more financial backing may be needed. The photos below are the removal of the rink as it is being put into storage, for maybe the next year's season.

VCP Ice Skating Rink UPDATE

  UPDATE:

   The temporary ice skating rink at Van Cortlandt Park is almost ready to open. In the photos below  the ice is in place, and poles are also in place to hold the barrier that will keep the skaters in the ring. There has been talk in the comments section that I am claiming to have had the rink set up, and that is false. There is also talk that I opposed the rink, and that is false again. Then there was the comment about the head of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and myself, again false. He was a candidate for City Council and I am a political columnist. I was doing what is expected of me, covering the candidates. After the election was over it appears that we switched roles. I was now on the Community Board and he was not. Enough said as I will answer any sound comment, and remember the comments are moderated here unlike elsewhere. 

Above - The chiller lines are in place to make the ice.

Left - The ice is now in place, and with the cold weather setting in the rink should open soon.

Right - The poles are in place to hold the barrier that will keep the skaters from falling over the side of the rink.

VCP Ice Rink Closes

  The seasonal Ice Skating Rink in Van Cortlandt Park has been closed as the weather gets warmer and outdoor ice skating is no longer possible. As you will see in the photos below during the removal of the temporary ice skating rink it is not known exactly just what will remain on the site other than the permanent electrical work done. The new season will start around the beginning of November later this year.

The floor may have been taken up and the signs on the doors may say closed in the photo on the left, but in the photo on the right the ice skates still sit in their slots waiting to be rented. 

 

Both photos show how the temporary ice skating rink has been taken up. Rolls of material in the foreground of the photo on the right, and wood planks that supported the rink in the photo on the right.

Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink Ribbon Cutting

   NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White welcomed those assembled to the ribbon cutting of the new Van  Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.  said that he was glad to be on hand for the ribbon cutting here, and that he would like to have a permanent Ice Skating rink and arena for the future stars of the Bronx. Diaz naming former New York Ranger great Mark Messier and  Olympic gold medal winner Sarah Hughes, both who are pushing a proposed plan for up to nine professional ice skating rinks in the Kingsbridge Armory. Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz also spoke of their hopes that the Kingsbridge Armory would be transformed into what is being called an Ice Skating Palace at the armory that they and other elected officials support. 

   Also on hand were members of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, Community Board # 8, and others that were involved in the process that made the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink possible including the Project Manager Mr. Ron Kraut of Eckstein Development the operator of the rink.

    The Ice Theater of New York housed at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink performed several different skating routine (as you will see in the photos below). Currently the Chelsea Piers are closed due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. The director of the Ice Theater said that it was great that the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink opened up as the Chelsea Piers will not reopen for a few weeks.  

 The "Ribbon Cutting" ceremony by the elected officials. It was even colder on the ice  on this crisp fall day, as you can see.

 

           

In both photos is Gold medal skater 11 year old Jenny Birlin. She is wearing her Ice Theater of N.Y. warm up jacket as she is testing out the ice.

Left - Is another skater from Ice Theater checking out the ice. 

Right - You see Jenny and the other skater together on the ice.

Left - Another pair of skaters on the ice. 

Right- Since the rink is curbside, that is a real truck on Broadway in the background of the skaters.

Left and Right - A skating routine from "Buggy Woggy Bugle Boy".

Left - Some of the over 800 pairs of ice skates available for rental.

Right - The price list 

You can click on any photo to enlarge it.