The cold front coming to Northeast Ohio will bring single-digit temperatures to the city of Lorain, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures could get as low as 15 degrees by Jan. 15.
In an effort to keep the city fun and festive despite the cold, city of Lorain workers transformed Lakeview Park tennis courts into an ice rink.
Located at 1815 W. Erie Ave. in Lorain, the rink should be open just in time for the frigid weather on the horizon, said Lorain Public Property Manager Lori Garcia.
“This is the fourth winter that it’s going up,” Garcia said. “Actually, it’s been received very well.
“It’s used a lot. I know Huron’s hockey team was coming out here and using it even for their practice for a couple of years.”
The rink only froze over once or twice last winter, due to the relatively above average temperatures.
The city anticipates that the rink will get much more usage this winter, Garcia said.
“Last winter, I think it only froze maybe two times … the winter was so mild,” she said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t get much use last year.
“Our hope is it stays frozen much longer this year.”
The city put the rink up at just the right time, so it should be ready for the week of freezing temperatures ahead, she said.
“Pretty much any given day, you can go by and you can see people skating,” Garcia said. “A lot of families are there using it, and it’s really busy on the weekends.”
Garcia said the reception on the rink has been extremely positive since it opened four winters ago.
The city hopes to continue that reputation as more skaters take to Lakeview Park for this year’s edition of the rink, she said.
“Not that everybody loves winter weather, and I don’t either, but I hope it can stay frozen for the winter this year so everyone can enjoy it,” Garcia said.
The Lakeview Park ice rink will open daily from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
There is no cost to skate.
