Holiday Hoopla seeks permanent ice rink at downtown reservoir cap; city council signals support

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Organizers of the Holiday Hoopla told Middletown City Council they want the city to plan for a permanent ice rink on the new park being built over a combined‑sewer‑overflow (CSO) basin cap, arguing the investment would reduce recurring setup costs, expand year‑round programming and help revitalize downtown.

Why it matters: Council members said the rink is already a successful winter attraction and a permanent installation could become a year‑round amenity that draws visitors, supports downtown businesses and creates seasonal jobs.

What presenters said: Evan Kaiser, Holiday Hoopla board president, said the portable rink has drawn thousands of visitors and provided seasonal employment for youth: “We have thousands of visitors annually. We increase the foot traffic to local businesses and we've created lots of jobs over the past four years,” Kaiser said.

Organizers described tradeoffs between the current portable rink and a permanent rink. The portable unit requires yearly assembly, a chiller craned in, and repeated setup and teardown costs; organizers said those recurring costs total roughly $58,000 per season and rely heavily on volunteers and in‑kind city support. A permanent rink — a concrete slab with embedded tubing and a permanent chiller — would reduce annual setup labor and expand uses in warm months (roller skating, pickleball, festivals).

Costs and timeline: Presenters estimated first‑cost differences and modeled payback times of roughly 9–10 years depending on rink size and programming revenue. The group proposed two permanent sizes: 100x60 feet (similar to the existing rink) and a larger 120x60 foot surface that would accommodate more year‑round activities and pond‑hockey‑type events. Organizers also proposed a phased capital plan that includes a sport‑court surface, a pergola, and a permanent stage or audiovisual equipment funded through sponsorships and fundraising.

Council reaction: Council members praised the attraction and asked practical questions about life‑cycle costs. Council Member Horn asked about the permanent equipment lifespan and future maintenance needs; Holiday Hoopla representatives said some city involvement (e.g., Zamboni maintenance) might remain, but that Hoopla would manage operations, staffing and fundraising. “We still love this,” Evan Kaiser said, describing his group’s ongoing role in programming and operations.

Next steps: Presenters and council members agreed the permanent option becomes easier if the rink can be installed when the park is built; retrofitting later would raise costs. Council members encouraged further financial modeling, a clear maintenance plan and commitments on who would own and operate specific equipment as the park design proceeds.

Ending: Council members expressed support and asked staff and the Holiday Hoopla board to continue detailed planning and cost estimates as the CSO basin cap park moves toward construction.