The Rink at Thompson’s Point This Afternoon from Inside the Nearby Yurt. The Rink is 60 x 120 And Is Covered by a Roof.

Coli Messiger, Rented Hockey Skates – the Only Type Available – for $2.00.

James Munroe, Mostly Hidden on Left, With Friends Who Skated at The Rink This Afternoon., Inside the Yurt. Munroe Came From Denmark to Skate.

Catherine Caswell, of The Bar Association, Benn and Molly Breton of RinkSpecialists at The Rink at Thompson’s Point This Afternoon.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,511)

“We have it all here.  You can skate, drink, eat and stay warm,” said Molly Breton late this afternoon.  She and her husband Benn, owners of RinkSpecialists, are managing The Rink for Chris Thompson, the managing partner of the Thompson’s Point Development behind Transportation Center. (City manager Jon Jennings was one of the original partners in the development of Thompson’s Point, but sold his share of the development.)

The Rink opened on December 4th and will remain open until February 21st – that’s the end of the skating season here in New England.  The last week of operations will be devoted to a Hockey Tournament.  It’ll be open to teams of six based on age and experience according to Molly. In the brief time since opening, over 1,000 have skated on The Rink.

The Rink is like a mini-village.  There’s a trailer where tickets are sold and skaters needing  rental skates, can do so.  There is a separate building that  can be rented for private properties and was in private use this afternoon. There is a food truck on site.  And of course the popular yurt.  Anyone can pop-in to warm-up before a heater.   Beer or wine is on tap to be  purchased from Catherine Caswell who runs that concession for The Rink. (Caswell owns The Bar Association, a portable bar service in Maine.)   There is also an out-door fire pit for warming purposes.

Skaters can use The Rink for two hour sessions at a time.  In between those sessions, a zamboni comes onto the ice to clear it of any cracks that might have occurred during the last session.

The Bretons have been in the business since 2006.  Every other year, Benn builds the Frozen Fenway,  at Fenway Park in Boston.  It is used by fifteen colleges in the area as well as by the American Hockey League Benn said.

The Rink is open seven days a week.  The cost is $8.00 with some discounts for seniors, etc.  Children under three are free.

For more information, visit www.TheRinkAtThompsonsPoint.com

Suzanne Telseian, who Went to Deering High School (!), Brought Her Own Newly Purchased Figure Skates.