KANE — The Kane borough council properties committee says that a possible ice skating rink in Evergreen Park could be in the works.
According to committee chair Denny Drost, a possible skating rink is being projected for 2016. Drost said the rink would located just off of Park Avenue adjacent to the pavilion. Currently, the area for the projected ice skating rink currently has old utility poles and disused horseshoe pits, according to Drost.
Drost projects that the rink would have four light posts surrounding the perimeter for skating at night. He said construction of the rink would entail digging down into the ground several inches and lining the area with a tarp. Drost suggested the Kane Volunteer Fire Department could flood the rink to create the ice for the surface. He also envisions several benches being made for the rink.
Residents of Kane used to be able ice skate in the borough on the pond at Evergreen Park prior to 1972, when the pond was removed and basketball and tennis courts were constructed. Drost said that attempts at flooding the courts in the winter for ice skating proved to be unsuccessful and the idea was abandoned. However, Drost thinks that it may be time for borough residents to lace up the ice skates once again.
“I think it would go over good,” Drost said. “I think it’s needed in Kane.”
The committee also discussed a renovation that would make the restroom facilities in Evergreen Park compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and likely save the borough money going forward.
Drost said the current restroom facilities in the park are in good shape, but lack acceptable handicapped access. He said that currently, the borough pays $400 per month for two handicapped accessible portable toilets to the tune of $4,800 per year.
Drost predicts the best way to make the restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act is to remove the entire front half of the building and extend the concrete base.
Plans to renovate the restrooms are still in the preliminary stages, and Drost indicated that more study needs to be done as to exactly what will need to be done and how much money the entire project will cost.
Mick Petruney of the Concerned Citizens of Kane said that Tammy Jones of Central Insurers Group Inc. will be in town on Monday to inspect the skatepark in Glenwood Park on Hacker Street. Petruney said he and borough manager Don Payne would meet with Jones on Monday morning.
Drost also suggested that Jones might also inspect other borough properties such as the Enchanted Playground at Evergreen Park, the mini-park bordered by Chase, Dawson and Reynolds streets, and even the fire hall located on Poplar Street. Payne concurred that committee may obtain a quote on multiple borough properties.
“Everything we have coverage we’ll take a look at,” Payne said.
