Skate rinks open after long wait

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:12AM

It’s time to bring those old ice skates out of the closet for the winter.

After several days of frigid temperatures, outdoor ice skating rinks in Vernon Hills, Mundelein and Libertyville finally opened for the season on Friday, Jan. 20.

Area sled hills opened a few days earlier after the first significant snowfall of the season the previous week.

Outdoor ice rinks in the area typically open in mid-to-late December but with unusually warm weather during the months of December and early January park crews were unable to get a sufficient base of ice to open the rinks until the colder weather last week. Then, as temperatures jumped above 40 degrees for a spell on Monday morning Jan. 23, there was no skating again.

Jeff Fougerousse, executive director of the Vernon Hills Park District, said the district made the decision to open its new ice skating rink and warming shelter pavilion near the sled hill at the north end of Century Park on Friday.

“It’s in pretty good shape right now. It’s got a good solid base,” he said Friday. “We just have to play it day by day and see what the weather is going to be.”

Vernon Hills has had smaller ice rinks scattered through the parks in past years, but the new rink in Century Park is much larger­—approximately 90 feet by 150 feet long­. It is also lighted for night skating.

“It’s a very good size in terms of an outdoor rink,” he said. “It’s larger than most outdoor rinks.”

Next to the ice rink is the new pavilion, which will be open on weekends during the skating season, serving concessions such as hot chocolate, coffee, candy and other snacks. It also has indoor seating for approximately 50 people and is equipped with restroom facilities. There are also free skate rentals.

Fougerousse said the rink is intended for recreational skating only. “It’s not designed for hockey. It’s just skating only,” he said.

Vernon Hills residents can call (847) 996-6616 for updates on conditions of the ice rink and sled hill in the park.

Meanwhile, the Mundelein Park District opened its main ice rink on Friday at Keith Mione Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, and a smaller rink at Lions Field, 601 E. Noel Drive, in Mundelein. The sled hill in Community Park is also open.

“We always open as soon as possible but with the weather we had it caused a little bit of a delay.” said Mary Priller, marketing specialist for the Mundelein Park District.

The rinks are open at different times for open skating and hockey, with times posted on the park district website at www.mundeleinparks.org.

Libertyville opened its ice rink in Bolander Park on Friday. “We had kids playing hockey at noon on Friday, which was great to see,” said Connie Kowal, director of recreation and the sports complex for Libertyville.

The sled hill at Adler Park is also open daily and the warming house at Adler Park will be open on weekends during sledding season. Warming house hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Libertyville residents who want information about the condition of ice rink in Bolander Park or sled hill at Adler Park can call the district’s weather information line at (847) 247-5433 (option 3).