Ice is nice at new Nederland ice rink

Lynn Volkens

1/5/2006 - By tapping their PILT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) fund for $9,000, Gilpin Commissioners (those who dare) are literally skating into 2006 on firm ice. The funding was Gilpin’s response to a request from R.I.N.K. (Recreational Ice for Nederland Kids), an organization spearheading construction of a new ice rink in Nederland. The rink is a Peak to Peak Healthy Communities project. As many students residing in north Gilpin attend Nederland schools, and many mid-north Gilpin residents actively shop and support Nederland businesses, approaching Gilpin County for financial help was logical. Gilpin Commissioners also recognized the value of the partnership in providing another recreational resource for the Gilpin community, one that is in high demand. (Commissioner Al Price reported that several of his constituents were actively lobbying for his support of the rink.)

  Gilpin County is the last of several organizations and individuals to hop on board the Zamboni in funding the rink. The total cost of the project, $310,000, has been funded primarily by grant money ($200,000) from Great Outdoors Colorado. The Town of Nederland is contributing $53,000 of in-kind services. R.I.N.K. has raised $29,000 in cash. Caribou Companies (Guercio Family) has pledged $20,000. Other private donations include the Zamboni (now parked next to the rink) and a tuff shed for use as a warming hut. A local hockey team donated a rink liner and dasher boards.

  Gilpin’s funding will help meet some of the additional and ongoing costs associated with rink operation. Materials for a heated Zamboni shed (necessary for it to function) are estimated at $4,000. (Volunteers will provide construction labor.) Operating costs and parts for the Zamboni will run about $1,350. An additional rink liner ($2,500) is needed. The dasher boards need some repair and netting is needed for hockey. Together, those items will cost approximately $500. Snow fence needs to be installed ($350.) The Eagle Scouts are renovating the tuff shed, but need materials of $300. When all is done, the rink will have a 205” by 105” pad for ice. As temperatures warm, the rink will be changed out for three tennis courts. Plans are to pave the surface with asphalt, apply color and lines and add the nets this summer. Total completion of the project, officially known as the Ice and Racquet Park, is scheduled for September 2006.

  Meanwhile, Phase I (site clearing, excavation, access road improvements, fencing and utilities) is done. The ice is in, smoothed to a polish, and skaters are finding the rink in growing numbers. On opening day, December 17^th, there were approximately 50 pairs of bladed feet giving the new ice a try. Open skating, hockey leagues, skating classes and school physical education classes are all being organized and scheduled for ice times. A cooperative hockey program, similar to the wrestling and soccer programs that local schools have conducted in the past, may be a future possibility. The ice schedule is now available. Starting January 4, 2006, adult learn-to-skate classes will be on Mondays from 8:45-10:00 a.m., pre-school classes will be at the same time on Thursdays. Classes for kindergarten-12^th grade students are on Saturdays from 8:30-10:00 a.m. Hockey classes and team practices are at varying times for different age groups. Most are after school (3:30-5:00 p.m.) with some on Saturdays and Sundays with open skating and drop-in hockey games scheduled in between. Limited skate rental is available. The new rink is located on the west end of Indian Peaks Drive.

  Gilpin residents and students are invited to join the activities, paying the same fee rate as Nederland residents (Children - $3/Adults $5 per day). Season passes are also available. Self-serve payment envelopes are located on the warming hut, as is the deposit box. A waiver on the envelope must be signed before entering the rink. It warns skaters, “Skate at your own risk.” For more specific information, schedule changes, sign-up lists and gear requirements, go to www.NedRink.com  or call Peak to Peak Healthy Communities at 303-258-7119.