×

Ice rink funding goal reached

1 / 3
Enhance Escanaba reached its goal for an Iron Sleek ice rink late Tuesday afternoon. (Screenshot from patronicity.com/icerink)
2 / 3
A nonprofit group dedicated to improving and beautifying the City of Escanaba has just reached its funding goal to bring an ice rink to Ludington Park. Shown is an example of a 50- by 100-foot ice rink from the agreed-upon manufacturer. (Photo via Iron Sleek)
3 / 3
United States' Rico Roman, center, in action with Russia's Andrey Dvinyaninov, left, and Alekxei Lysov during an ice sled hockey match between United States and Russia at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. Sled hockey is currently played in Marquette in association with SAIL, who may be able to bring games to Escanaba after the installation of an accessible ice rink. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

ESCANABA — Delta County residents and winter visitors may want to brush up on their hockey skills and find some skates.

A refrigerated Iron Sleek rink could make its way to Ludington Park as early as this winter. Late Tuesday afternoon, Enhance Escanaba finally reached its funding goal for the installation of an ice rink in the city’s largest park.

Details will still need to be ironed out, but the City of Escanaba previously agreed to accept the donation and care of the refrigerated, portable rink if Enhance Escanaba purchased the module and gifted it to the city.

The total cost of the project — preparing a site and installing necessary utilities and lighting — was projected to be $250,000. The first $100,000 was pledged during an initial quiet phase from large donors, while the final $150,000 was secured just five hours before the deadline.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) agreed to match donors’ contributions if $75,000 was collected by 9 p.m. on June 30. At 4:14 p.m., the goal was met. Contributions exceeded the necessary amount by $1,423.

Starting at $4.00/week.

Subscribe Today