Folks In Orono Are Hoping To Be Able To Skate Right Into The New Year

For the second year in a row, kids young and old will be able to skate their winter days away right in the heart of Orono, on a great little Pop-Up Rink. Orono Parks and Rec Manager, Meghan Mazzella, says the town purchased the Pop-Up last year, and it went over really well with folks of all ages.

"This is the second year we've had it. It's a pretty easy setup. It just clicks together."

Mazzella says the is set up across the street from the Orono Public Safety Building and that both the Orono Public Works and Fire Departments have worked hard to get the rink up and running.

Now they're just waiting for Mother Nature to cooperate.

"It's filled, we just need a couple of really cold nights to help it freeze over," Mazzella says.

Until then folks are being asked to stay off the ice. Mazzella says they will inform people, through the Orono Parks And Rec Department Facebook Page, when conditions at the rink are ready for skating.

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Once open, Mazzella says the hours of operation at the rink will be 9 AM to 9 PM. They have some floodlights set up in the area, and Mazzella says they even got creative this year and installed lights under the rink that will spell out 'Orono' for a little extra flash!

There will be occasions where they have to shut the rink down to resurface it, but they'll give people notice of when that's going to happen.

The rink is free to the public and anyone can use it, provided they respect the rules and stay off of it when it's posted.

Mazzella says while you can't park right at the rink, there is plenty of parking available on Pine St. and behind the Orono Public Safety Building.

Mazzella expects the rink to be open through March, weather permitting.

Keep an eye out for word on the official opening, by clicking here.