By Jason Stuart
Ranger-Review Staff Writer
Members of the Glendive City Council will consider a proposal to create an ice skating rink and city-run skate rentals at next Wednesday’s meeting of the Finance, Utilities, Property and Recreation Committee.
Local resident Anthony Varriano approached the full council at their meeting Tuesday night to broach the subject with the mayor and council members. Varriano asked that the city make and maintain an outdoor ice skating rink during the winter months and that the Glendive Recreation Department provide ice skate rentals.
Mayor Jerry Jimison asked Varriano if he felt the winters in Glendive were long and cold enough to support an outdoor skating rink.
“I do think so, yeah, for now,” Varriano replied.
Jimison then noted that the city has flooded spots in city parks during the winter to try and form a skating rink, specifically naming Whipkey Park and Wyndham Park as two places outdoor rinks have been tried.
“I know Public Works has tried to maintain ice skating rinks, but it seems like they flood ‘em and they freeze and the next week they thaw again,” he said.
However, Jimison said that he overall agreed that an ice skating rink should be feasible, and commended Varriano for the research packet he handed out to the council for the proposal.
“You’re absolutely correct, you’d think that in a normal winter you’d have at least seven to eight weeks to maintain an ice skating rink,” he said. “I applaud your effort and research.”
The FUPR committee will take up the proposal at their meeting next Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. in Glendive City Hall.
Reach Jason Stuart at rrreporter@rangerreview.com.
