Last weekend’s blast of frigid air brought encouragement to winter sports’ enthusiasts anxious to don skates and skis. 

At the Boothbay Fire Station, there was another encouraging sign for ice skaters and hockey players, despite the open water all around: On Sunday, Nov. 24, a hardy crew of volunteers installed the perimeter ring for the ice rink in preparation for another Boothbay season on ice.

This is the sixth season for the community skating rink, which started when local students at the region’s first Youth Summit envisioned an enclosed rink at Clifford Playground.

Although the larger dream of year-round indoor ice has not yet been realized, the open air rink at the fire station has provided a great local gathering spot for winter skating and family fun.

On Sunday, about 15 volunteers, including some youngsters, installed the rink’s outer wall before the ground freezes. Volunteer Kevin Anthony said when cold weather sets in, hopefully next month, volunteers will install the liner and the Boothbay Region Water District will fill the rink with water (water is paid for by the rink group). Then, it’s up to Mother Nature.

The  65 by 120-foot ice rink provides winter fun for the community because of the hard work of local volunteers, who construct the rink and then maintain the ice through winter. It has been funded entirely through private donations and financial support from the Boothbay Civic Association.

It’s a big effort over a long season. In addition to constructing and later dismantling the rink, volunteers keep the ice clear of snow and also make ice with a mini Zamboni-like machine twice weekly during the season.

“This gets harder to do every year, because the weather doesn’t cooperate,” volunteer Robert Conlin said. “It takes a lot of effort to maintain and with the way the weather has been, we can use the rink less and less.”

Conlin said enclosing the rink with a cover would make it a more reliable venue over the winter season. “Every winter storm has been ending with slush,” Conlin said. “With a cover, we could probably use the rink for four months a year.”

Conlin said the ice rink group always welcomes more volunteers and is particularly looking for the help of skilled business people.

“What we’re looking for are some people with business acumen who could help us develop a business plan,” Conlin said, “We need to put together a more organized approach to fundraising and develop a long-term plan.”

The ice rink is a favorite spot for local skaters, ice hockey players and particularly for families with small children. Following Boothbay’s success, similar rinks are underway in Damariscotta, Waldoboro and Wiscasset, and plans are developing for ice hockey games among the communities.

“Come by on a Sunday afternoon and you will see all the families and kids skating,” Conlin said. “It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors and it’s safe.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or contributing to this community effort should call Kevin Anthony at 207-633-3550 or Robert Conlin at 207-633-2194. You can also visit their Facebook page; search for Boothbay/Boothbay Harbor Community Ice Rink.