Local Group Seeks To Bring Back Seasonal Ice Skating To Fairgrounds

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Jennifer [email protected]

Northern Lakes Skating Association is working to bring back an ice-skating rink to the Kosciusko Community Fairgrounds.

An informal meeting was held Wednesday night at the Frontage Road Courthouse Coffee in Warsaw for people interested in bringing ice skating back to Warsaw.

Rob Parker, skating association chairman, said the group has been preparing the ice this week, and hopes to open the seasonal rink in the next few weeks.[[In-content Ad]]The association is planning to reopen the ice rink on the west end of the fairgrounds in front of the cabins.

They have not set an exact date for when the rink will open, and the opening date is weather dependent.

People can call Parker at 574-267-4602 to get updated information on the ice-skating rink including hours and dates when it opens.

The association offered a skating rink last year at the west end of the fairgrounds for three weeks from the end of February to the beginning of March.

There was a recommended donation to rent ice skates.

The association was provided ice skates and a ice-smoothing machine from the former Glenbrook Mall Ice Skating Rink owner.

There has been ice skating in the county at various locations over the years, including where the Winona Lake Town Hall is located and by the former softball field at Frazier Field.

The association was founded in the 1980s with the goal of bringing ice skating to Kosciusko County, and the group currently has nine board members.

Besides Parker, board members are Al Grossnickle, secretary; Brian Smith, treasurer; Ron Leef, vice president; and Steve Shingledecker, Scott Bleeks, Kevin Harter, Andy Grossnickle and Denny Wilson.

Kosciusko County Leadership Academy graduates Parker, Grossnickle, Harter and Bleeks did a White Paper project a few years back with a goal of bringing a permanent ice-skating rink to Kosciusko County.

The group has been looking for an existing building in the county where a permanent seasonal rink could be developed, Parker said.

Parker said the closest ice-skating rinks are in South Bend and Fort Wayne.

"We have great amenities in our area for summer recreation, but don't have winter recreation activities," Parker said.

Parker said the indoor facility would be seasonal, and be open from Thanksgiving to March.

When it wasn't being used for ice skating it could be used to hold meetings, sporting events and other activities.

Northern Lakes Skating Association is working to bring back an ice-skating rink to the Kosciusko Community Fairgrounds.

An informal meeting was held Wednesday night at the Frontage Road Courthouse Coffee in Warsaw for people interested in bringing ice skating back to Warsaw.

Rob Parker, skating association chairman, said the group has been preparing the ice this week, and hopes to open the seasonal rink in the next few weeks.[[In-content Ad]]The association is planning to reopen the ice rink on the west end of the fairgrounds in front of the cabins.

They have not set an exact date for when the rink will open, and the opening date is weather dependent.

People can call Parker at 574-267-4602 to get updated information on the ice-skating rink including hours and dates when it opens.

The association offered a skating rink last year at the west end of the fairgrounds for three weeks from the end of February to the beginning of March.

There was a recommended donation to rent ice skates.

The association was provided ice skates and a ice-smoothing machine from the former Glenbrook Mall Ice Skating Rink owner.

There has been ice skating in the county at various locations over the years, including where the Winona Lake Town Hall is located and by the former softball field at Frazier Field.

The association was founded in the 1980s with the goal of bringing ice skating to Kosciusko County, and the group currently has nine board members.

Besides Parker, board members are Al Grossnickle, secretary; Brian Smith, treasurer; Ron Leef, vice president; and Steve Shingledecker, Scott Bleeks, Kevin Harter, Andy Grossnickle and Denny Wilson.

Kosciusko County Leadership Academy graduates Parker, Grossnickle, Harter and Bleeks did a White Paper project a few years back with a goal of bringing a permanent ice-skating rink to Kosciusko County.

The group has been looking for an existing building in the county where a permanent seasonal rink could be developed, Parker said.

Parker said the closest ice-skating rinks are in South Bend and Fort Wayne.

"We have great amenities in our area for summer recreation, but don't have winter recreation activities," Parker said.

Parker said the indoor facility would be seasonal, and be open from Thanksgiving to March.

When it wasn't being used for ice skating it could be used to hold meetings, sporting events and other activities.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Public Occurrences 05.14.25
County Jail Bookings The following people were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Fat & Skinny Tire Festival’s 20th Year Feels Surreal To Co-Founder
WINONA LAKE - For Fat & Skinny Tire Fest co-founder and co-director Greg Demopoulos, the fact that this weekend is the 20th year for the three-day bicycling event is surreal.

Nappanee Man Injured In Turkey Hunting Accident In Fulton County
A Nappanee man was injured in a turkey hunting accident Saturday in Fulton County.

Breakfast Optimist Club Car Show Is Sunday
Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club is hosting the 15th Annual City of Lakes Car Show on Sunday, May 18 from noon to 5 p.m. in downtown Warsaw at the courthouse square.

Huntington Teen Arrested On Rape, Child Molesting Charges
A Huntington teen was arrested after allegedly forcing a minor under 14 to have sex.