Refrigeration at The Rink at Thompsons Point Keeps the Ice in Top Skating Condition !

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The Rink Was Busy This Afternoon at Thompson's Point.

The Rink Was Busy This Afternoon at Thompson’s Point.  It is Entirely Covered by a Metal Roof to Keep the Ice Protected from the Elements as well as Skaters.

Benn Breton, Owner of The Rink, at Thompson's Point.

Benn Breton, Owner of The Rink, at Thompson’s Point. Expansion Plans for Next Year are Under Consideration.

Joel Arnold With His Son Jack, Four Years Old. "The Skatng is Great," said Joel.

Joel Arnold With His Son Jack, Four Years Old. “The Skating is Great,” said Joel. This Is Jack’s First Time on Skates.

Three Sisters, Jessica, Angelina, and Bri Diphillippo, of Falmouth, Skating at The Rink This Afternoon.

Three Sisters, Jessica, Angelina, and Bri Diphillippo, of Falmouth, Skating at The Rink This Afternoon.  Jessica Lives in Boston and is Home for the Holidays.

Ava & Kaitlyn Prepare to Skate This Afternoon. They are Seven Years Old.

Friends Ava & Kaitlyn Prepare to Skate This Afternoon. They are Seven Years Old.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,519)

The 3:00 session was crowded this afternoon at The Rink at Thompsons Point.  Skaters of all ages and skill levels were enjoying the ice – even though the temperatures are abnormally warm for this time of year – skaters said the ice was fine and for some the warm temps were a bonus.  Refrigeration of the ice during this warm weather has made the difference – it has allowed skating to continue at 4 Thompson’s Point while other skating and winter activities in southern Maine have famously been stopped.  Deering Oaks Park in Portland is a pond without refrigeration for skating.

The cost for two hours of skating is $8.00 for adults and the cost of renting hockey skates is $2.00 – a price that most were pleased with. In between each session the ice is cleaned and cleared by a zamboni. Beer and wine are on tap inside the warm yurt.  There are several food trucks on site as well.  The Rink is open seven days a week. Thompsons Point is in the back of the Transportation Center near the Jetport.

“The warm weather has been tough on The Rink because it forces us to refrigerate it. It’s expensive. So far we’ve used 100 gallons of diesel fuel to keep the ice good for skating,” said Benn Breton, owner of RinkSpecalists, that manages The Rink.

The Rink has been extremely busy since it first opened on December 4th this year – much of the business coming from word-of-mouth rather than advertising. Advertising has not been necessary.  “There are no other snow activities in southern Maine occurring because of the weather.  So they are here,” said Breton.  “We’re not sure if the warm weather is bringing in people or not.  Attendance here has been consistent despite changes in the weather.”

Chris Thompson is the managing partner of the development at Thompsons Point.  Current city manager Jon Jennings was formerly a partner in the development, but he sold his share because he didn’t like the “direction” the development was taking.

Plans are already being developed for next year’s skating area.   It’s possible that the current space will be larger to accommodate the obvious enthusiasm for the event.  Other possibilities are under consideration; a sledding hill and an ice sculpture competition.

For more information, please call (207) 239-3729.  www.TheRinkAtThompsonsPoint.com  For more background information, please visit Post # 2,511 dated December 20, 2015 herein.