The memories it helped form may live forever, but this year’s inaugural edition of the Norris Ice Rink has skated into the great beyond a bit earlier than expected, helped by the above-average temperatures that have hit Evanston this week.
The rink was scheduled to close Sunday, but the weather ultimately made it necessary to close the rink early, Norris University Center Executive Director Rick Thomas said.
“With temperatures forecast to be in the 40s and 50s over the next few days, the ice will melt,” Thomas wrote in an e-mail. “I was told by facilities staff that there was significant melting yesterday with the temps dipping into the 40s.”
In a meeting with The Daily on Monday, University President Morton Schapiro expressed sadness about the closing of the ice rink.
Schapiro said that a farewell celebration had been planned for the rink this Sunday. Thomas was not aware of those plans.
The president added that overall, he was happy with the decision to put in the rink, which was originally suggested to him by Weinberg junior Austin Young.
“I kind of liked having it,” he said. “I think people seemed pretty happy with it.”
Schapiro said he never got onto the ice, though his daughter did.
Thomas agreed with Schapiro that the rink was a success, and said while the rink was “not about the money,” he thinks it was sound financially.
“On our end, while we have not done the final analysis, we likely covered the additional costs we incurred by adding the skate rental program,” he wrote in the same e-mail.
Students also said the time on the ice was appreciated.
David Benjamin said that while he lacked skating skill, he liked the opportunity to glide around the scratched-up surface.
“I like ice skating, but I’m from California so I don’t get the opportunity to do it because of the climate,” the Communication junior said. “I wish they could keep it open longer.”
Young noted that not only did Northwestern students enjoy the rink, but a number of Evanston residents put on skates as well.
The location of the rink will now be used to house Dance Marthon’s dancer tent. The flatness of the ground, due to the rink, will make it easier for DM to set up the tent, officials said.
The obvious question now, of course, is what next winter holds for NU’s winter sports enthusiasts.
Thomas, for his part, hopes to see the rink return.
“I would definitely be in favor of the ice rink coming back next year,” he said. “It was a fun addition to the Winter Quarter.”
Young also wanted to see a second year for the rink.
Schapiro seems to think Thomas and Young will get their wishes, saying the school would “probably” bring it back for a second year in 2012, possibly with additions that would make it easier to bring back in subsequent winters.
