The ice is nice, and it's about to get nicer thanks to donation

Thanks to a generous donation from Grand Forks Freezeway, LLC, a Grand Forks Park District partner, the ice rink here in New Rockford will get a nice upgrade.

The New Rockford Park District requested a portion of what was available to municipal park systems across the state - approximately 5,000 square feet of boards/barriers, stanchions to hold the boards, and pads - and New Rockford was one of four recipients. The value of the equipment is approximately $6,000, according to Dennis Nybo, New Rockford Park District Director.

Nybo said the plan is to use the equipment to set up a 100-by-50 foot hockey rink on the north half of the existing ice rink area. The south half will be a recreational/pleasure skating area. The park district needs to secure a reusable liner to form the bottom of the structure, at a cost of around $900, to complete the project. Nybo said the New Rockford Park District has some hockey sticks, pucks and skates available for public use, and the barrier will make a great addition. The new rink will be set up next season, as the barrier needs to be installed when the ground is not frozen. Plus there is only about a month left of this year’s ice time.

 Although the weather hasn’t exactly cooperated this winter, with frigid cold temperatures and snow events, Nybo said attendance on the open days has been good. Students in the physical education classes at New Rockford-Sheyenne High School have even taken advantage of the conditions, engaging in competitive games of broomball at the rink plus recreational skating and hockey play. Staff for the warming house has been secured as well for this winter.

The ice rink, located at the corner of 3rd Avenue North and 11th Street, is open from 4-8 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 2-8 p.m. on weekends. The rink will generally be open if the temperature is above zero.

In anticipation of warmer weather, the New Rockford Park District is currently accepting applications for summer recreation staff, including lifeguards, coaches, and maintenance workers. Applications are available at City Hall and are due by March 5. Summer sign-up is set for Thursday, April 25 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the New Rockford Eagles Club. More details to come.

Nybo is a veteran parks and recreation professional. He first received his Certified Park and Recreational Professional (CPRP) designation in 1999. This certification is offered by the National Parks and Recreation Association. A professional must work in the field full-time for at least five years and take a test to quality for the certification. Then the person must obtain 20 hours of continuing education every two years in order to retain it. Nybo is one of just 15 professionals in the state of North Dakota with this certification, and the only one hailing from a small community. The next largest community with a CPRP on staff is Valley City, with a population of about 6,500.