Two days before Christmas, Southporters Charlie Britton, Matt Thibault and Bucky Holloway, with the help of Ketu Tiwari, came together to build a new 44’ x 88’ ice rink on the field at Southport Central School.

Opportunities to skate on the school pond have become rarer and, with little or no snow in recent years, there are, said Principal Lisa Clarke, few choices for outdoor play, but students are encouraged to be outside, in most conditions, so a rink for the winter seemed a good idea.

The Southport Community Project group provided the funding to buy the rink, and further funds raised from food sales at the 2023 Firemen’s Auction were used to buy new skates for every SCS student.

The rink was purchased from Nice Rink in Wisconsin and was delivered to Southport 10 days before Christmas. Finn Carroll, Adam Harkins and Charlie Britton were on site to offload. Within a few days, the pile of materials had been transformed into a modern rink that should last many years.

As soon as the weather turns cold, the rink will be lined, and Southport Fire Department will flood it. When frozen, the ice will be 4” to 5” thick.

When school is in session, use will be limited to the schoolchildren and staff, but at other times it will be open to the community. A lighting pole has been erected for nighttime skating and participants will be encouraged to park in the school lot. If needed, there may be scheduled times for hockey and free skating.

Charlie Britton has volunteered to oversee the rink management through the winter. All Southport needs now is some cold weather.