Naugatuck's Ice Skating Rink Opening Saturday

The new year will bring a brand new ice skating rink to Naugatuck.

And a special dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 4:30 p.m. The rink will open for skating at 10 a.m. and remain open till 9 p.m. It is located on the Meadow Street side of the St. Francis field.

A dedication ceremony had tentatively been set for Dec. 29, but a forecast calling for warmer weather and rain washed those plans away. Linda "gigi" Ramos, a Naugatuck Park Commissioner, announced the new date last Friday.

"We will be serving grilled hot dogs, hot popcorn, hot chocolate, soft drinks," Ramos said. "Everyone from the community of Naugatuck come and share this event."

All snacks will be $1 each.

Ramos gave special thanks to rink sponsors, the Ion Foundation and St. Francis. The Ion Foundation donated $3,000 for the portable rink, which will measure 72 feet by 92 feet. 

The rink will utilize an open design plan and will not be enclosed by Plexiglass boards or barriers. 

Donations are always welcome, Ramos noted, for items like hockey nets and used skates. Information about that will be available at the snack hut.

According to Ramos, state Sen. Joe Crisco (D-17) will donate one of the hockey nets for the rink. He is planning to stop by on Saturday, she said.

[Editor's note: this article was originally published on Dec. 27. It was updated to add the time of the dedication ceremony and other details about the event.]