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Resident suggests converting rec‑center detention pond into seasonal ice rink; board takes no immediate action
Summary
During public comment a resident proposed using the rec‑center detention pond as a seasonal ice rink; a second resident supported the idea, offered measurements and pledged donations of skates and nets. The board recorded the suggestion but did not adopt a plan or direct staff to act.
During the public‑comment portion of the meeting, resident Tom Lamar proposed converting the rec‑center retention/detention pond into a seasonal ice rink and urged staff to consider it as a community amenity.
"What is there a reason that the retention pond cannot be converted to an ice rink?" Lamar asked, describing local memories of community rinks at Battery Park, Lions Park and JC Park and noting a rec‑center location would attract users. He also offered donations of skates and said he would coordinate equipment and contacts with the city manager.
Tim Schwangerer, who identified himself with an address on Sheffield Way, supported the suggestion and provided a rough size for the pond based on city staff information: he said the detention pond is about 155 feet by 53 feet and up to 5 feet deep, and argued that only a few inches of water would be needed to form a safe seasonal skating surface if the drain were closed and the fire department filled it. Both commentators emphasized community access and low cost as advantages but the board did not make a commitment or set a follow‑up; the remarks remained a public suggestion rather than a directive.
"You don't need five feet of water to make an ice skating rink," Schwangerer said. "You close off that drain, have the fire department fill it with a few inches and voila, you've got ice skating."
