Parks committee directs staff to draft MOU to return downtown ice rink to Veterans Park

The Walworth County Parks Committee on March 17 voted to direct staff to continue developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would allow a community group to operate an ice rink in Veterans Park under the county’s recreational-immunity framework.

The committee’s action followed public comments from Elkhorn-area stakeholders and a staff briefing about legal and maintenance requirements. Committee Chair Sheila Reif called for staff to bring a draft MOU back to the committee in the coming months for further review.

Why it matters: supporters said a downtown rink would bring foot traffic and economic activity to the courthouse/downtown area, while county staff and the committee flagged insurance, inspection and maintenance requirements that must be spelled out in any agreement.

Public commenters said insurance was the principal obstacle. Carl Sorbeck, recreation director for the City of Elkhorn, told the committee he was “more so here for the resource regarding the ice rink because that's on your agenda this evening,” and urged consideration of returning the rink to its former downtown location because he said Sunset Park produced low attendance and required high maintenance. Chris Clapper, executive director of the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce, said local insurers had denied coverage for a facility run by nonmunicipal organizations and that “it has to be a municipality or a parks and rec that insure[s] that.” He said a downtown rink would support local businesses.

Committee discussion focused on how to structure a legal arrangement so the county could rely on recreational-immunity protections while assigning day-to-day setup, inspections and teardown responsibilities to the community operator. Staff said the MOU would include inspection and maintenance schedules, annual reporting requirements, and language developed in consultation with risk management to preserve the county’s legal defenses while allowing the activity to proceed.

County staff noted practical limits: the county would need an inspection plan (for example, weekly equipment checks) and documentation showing the inspections were completed. Committee members and one staff speaker who addressed legal exposure stressed that recreational immunity is a defense, not an absolute shield from lawsuits; immunity may be jeopardized if an activity is managed negligently.

Committee action: a motion to direct staff to continue developing the MOU and return a draft to the committee passed on a voice vote. Staff said they would attempt to present a draft by May and no later than July; the exact timeline will depend on the community group's readiness to meet the county’s maintenance and reporting conditions.

What was not decided: the committee did not adopt final MOU language, set a firm start date for rink operations, or commit county funds for construction or ongoing maintenance. Those items are to be resolved in the draft MOU and future committee meeting.

Ending: Staff said they will draft the MOU with risk-management provisions, inspection schedules and an annual reporting requirement and return with the proposal at a future meeting for committee review and a possible formal vote.