Van Cortlandt Park rink is on ice for the winter

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After just two years in operation, the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink will not reopen this winter.

A Department of Parks and Recreations employee made the news public at the latest meeting of Community Board 8’s Parks and Recreation Committee.

A Parks spokesperson said in an e-mail that the rink operated at a loss of more than $600,000 in its first two years. Its revenues reportedly dipped from $496,505.69 in the 2012-2013 season to $382,737.80 in the 2013-2014 period.

The concessionaire’s contract, originally scheduled to run until early May 2027, called for the ice rink to start paying the Parks Department $25,000 per year plus 5 percent of gross receipts this coming season.

The project manager for the facility, Ron Kraut of Ice Rink Events, did not respond to an e-mail interview request.

A website for the rink, www.vcpicerink.com, said the facility was “brought to you by” Ekstein Development, LLC and RD Management, LLC. The companies did not immediately respond to an interview request.

Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Bob Bender speculated that this past winter, which brought the heaviest snowfall in years, helped put a dent in the ice rink’s profits.

“[The skating season] ended a little bit early. They said that was weather-related,” he said. “I think at that point, they realized they were losing money and the sooner they could pack out, the better. That was the first sign that things were not good.”

After political bickering and a limited power supply delayed the ice rink’s opening in 2012, the facility went on to let in people of all ages for  $5 to $8. Skate rentals cost just $5. 

A highlight of the rink’s short existence came when New York Rangers great Dave Maloney participated in a “Try Hockey For Free Day” for children 10 and under this past December.

Looking ahead, the Parks Department said in an e-mail statement it “will be having discussions with local elected officials and Community Board members about next steps for this location.”

Both Mr. Bender and Riverdale’s Councilman Andrew Cohen said they hope the ice rink can reopen by winter 2015-2016.

Van Cortlant Park Ice Rink, Ron Kraut, Ice Rink Events, Bob Bender, Andrew Cohen, Van Cortlandt Park Stables, Shant Shahrigian
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