Big winter plans for Park District

With temperatures plummeting and the state under a thick blanket of snow already, many are probably wishing winter hadn’t come so early.

The New Rockford Park District, however, couldn’t be more excited for the season ahead. That’s because Dennis Nybo, Park District Director, has plans to make this winter season a special one for New Rockford and its residents.

As is tradition, the park district will once again be opening an ice skating rink this December, but that’s more or less where the traditions end.

Rather than its usual position along 11th Street North in New Rockford, this year’s rink will be placed on the tennis courts at the Archie and Jesse Campbell Memorial Park, and alongside it will be a brand new warming house.

The new structure, made possible thanks to grants and generous local donations, is 12-by-24 feet in size and includes seating, as well as hockey gear, different sizes of ice skates and more housed inside.

“It’s a modern little house,” said Nybo.

The new warming house replaces the old “chicken coop” that was used at the rink’s previous location for decades, and Nybo said itskaters and park-goers of all ages this winter.

“The one thing that we’d like to see and are really pushing, is that ice skating is for all ages,” said Nybo. “It’s in the middle of town, and it’s in a nice setting, so we’re hoping some of the adults come down and try it out.”

The structure won’t just be a warming house for ice skating, however. The Park District is also looking to operate a canoe/kayak rental out of it in the summer.

“It’s a multi-purpose year-round type of facility,” said Nybo. “... It’s just going to enhance, not only in the winter time but also in the summer, what the Park District can offer.”

Nybo added that there’s also been some new lighting installed at the tennis court, and that the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation is attempting to get a “vibrancy” grant that would help beautify the area - such as adding seating areas, outdoor heating and other amenities.

The rink and warming house should be open by mid-December, he added, and the park district will be holding a grand opening ceremony when it's ready to go.

That’s not all the park district has in the works for this winter, though.

On Saturday Feb. 25, they’ll be hosting the first ever daddy-daughter dance in New Rockford.

Fathers, grandfathers and father figures will be able to enjoy a “night with the princesses” at the Brown Memorial. The event will include a sit-down meal, live music, a photo booth and, of course, a dance floor on which they can dance the night away with their little princess.

Each father, grandfather or father figure will be allowed to register with their princess or princesses in pre-k through fifth grade. There will also be a limited number of couples, so be sure to register while you can.

“It’s something new that I think will be a hit,” said Nybo, who added the idea largely came from New Rockford Park District Commissioner Kristi Swenson.

“She had seen it in different towns and her granddaughter and son went to the one in Grand Forks,” said Nybo, “... and it’s something that’s been in the back of my mind as something we should try here in the winter months.

“I know Kristi is excited, and I know the Park District board in general is excited to see how it goes,” he added. “... We’re trying to get things going in New Rockford in the winter time.”

The Park District will also be holding a boys’ and girls’ basketball tournament for youth in grades 5-7 on Sunday, March 26. Registration forms for that are currently available at the Park District office.

Keep reading the Transcript and be sure to follow the Park District on Facebook (www.facebook.com/newrockfordparkdistrict) for updates on the warming house grand opening, “a night with the princesses,” and the basketball tournament.