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NewsPark District celebrates holiday; to open ice rinkBy James Pluta Justice Park District officials seem intent on filling their promises — and then some — starting with this holiday season. The district, whose newly elected and appointed commissioners have promised lots of positive changes in the way of programming to increase offerings to residents of all ages and much-needed revenue to stay afloat, has been quite busy of late. A children’s Santa Claus meet-and-greet Dec. 1 drew out some 75 kids to the district headquarters, which was followed up with a successful seniors luncheon two days later which Vice President Dan McGee reported as exceeding expectation. The lunch, initially anticipated to feed 25 senior citizens, ended up with place settings for 37 elderly residents. Ice rink slated to open Now comes word the district will soon open its first-ever ice “homemade” ice skating rink on the same grounds as the inline skating park and tennis courts off Oak Grove Avenue in the westernmost portion of Commissioners Park. “We’re working on it this (Christmas) week,” said McGee, who got permission from Justice Willow Springs Water Commission Director Phil DePaola to provide the needed water to freeze up the makeshift rink for public use. The village formerly hosted a rink adjacent to the Lipinski recreation center in the Arbors subdivision, but that did not work out well “because of the pitch” of the retention pond in which it was located. The 60-by-100-foot enclosed rink, which will be supervised during peak hours, will feature a 4-inch ice base. It will be locked up during overnight hours. “We should be ready to go by the end of the month,” said McGee of the outdoor, fenced-in facility he likened to the one in neighboring Bedford Park. No skate rental will be offered, but residents can bring their own equipment. Hours of operation have yet to be determined. “We’re just trying to get it up now” while the freezing temperatures are here, he said. “It’s really exciting and is hopefully going to be one of the nicer rinks around,” he added. |
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