West Lafayette skating rink sets 3rd opening date

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The ice technicians cometh. Again.             

For the second time this season, crews were out at the Riverside Skating Center in West Lafayette to make the ice. The previous attempt came the week after Thanksgiving, but the ice melted because of warm temperatures. 

However, rink officials are hopeful that this time's the charm because no ice means no business.

“In the first three weeks that we would have been open for this, we have missed out on about 1,600 people. Several private rentals had to be canceled. Not to mention all the young people that are out of work,” said rink manager Sue Mattern.              

Mattern said the rink usually employs around 20 high school and college students.              

She said the later opening date means about $11,000 in lost revenue so far, though the financial impact is not large because of lower costs for things like electricity and salaries.              

As for the ice, if Mother Nature continues to cooperate, Mattern said the rink should open to skaters Friday afternoon.