Selectmen raise Pop Whalen ice rates for 2025–26 season to close operating gap

The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen voted Jan. 8 to raise hourly rental rates at the Pop Whalen Ice Arena for the 2025–26 season to help the facility approach break-even operations.

Parks and Recreation and operations staff proposed raising the prime-hour rate to $2.55 per hour and the non-prime rate to $2.35 per hour (notation in meeting materials reflects these as $2.55 and $2.35 per hour). The proposal also redefined which hours are treated as prime (weekday evenings and most weekend daytime hours) and non-prime (early mornings and late evenings) to better match demand.

Parks and Recreation Director Christine Collins and Operations Manager (present) told the board the revenue estimates were based on seven months of ice operation and excluded off-season revenue. The board discussed clarifying line items labeled “other income” in staff materials, and asked staff to relabel and break out that revenue (public-skate fees, skate rental and program fees) so future reports are clearer. Operations staff said December revenue exceeded the seasonal pacing target and that additional summer bookings are being sought for non-ice use.

Selectman Brad made the motion to adopt the new rates; the board approved the change and recorded the motion as applicable to new contracts going forward (not retroactive). The board also directed staff to produce a one-page income-and-expense statement showing projected revenues and expenses that the selectmen can monitor periodically.

Board members said they want to see the arena generate more activity in the off-season and requested staff provide a clearer revenue breakout so the board can track progress against the annual budget.