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New Elmwood Park floor hockey rink nears completion
Al Schmidt, director of the Elmwood Park Park and Recreation Department, checks out a new hockey goal net at the department's new floor hockey rink. | David Pollard~Sun-Times Media
Updated: December 23, 2012 6:17AM
ELMWOOD PARK — Hockey enthusiasts will soon have more opportunity to play the game with a new outdoor floor hockey rink.
Al Schmidt, director of recreation for the Elmwood Park Parks and Recreation Department, said he could’ve spent about $70,000 for a new floor hockey rink, but was able to get a used one in good condition for about $31,000.
“I’m ecstatic about that,” he said.
The rink is located inside the Fullerton Avenue Skate Park, 7330 W. Fullerton Ave. Schmidt said the village decided on a floor hockey rink because of resident’s love for the sport.
“We have a big hockey following,” he said. “Even the guys who are helping me are chomping at the bit to be out there, too.”
“Elmwood Park kids like baseball and hockey,” he said. “They are our biggest strengths.”
For the past few months, Schmidt and his staff have worked to get the new rink up and running. Only a few more pieces of tempered glass need to be installed.
The floor hockey rink will be 100 feet long, 48 feet wide.
“It’s about half the size of an NHL rink,” he said.
“It’s made to be outside,” he said. “It’s fiberglass and made to stand up to the weather.”
Schmidt said the rink should be open to the public by the end of the month, weather permitting.
