Bradford City Council has made the decision to close Callahan Ice Rink immediately.

City administrator Chris Lucco sent out a release on behalf of council Wednesday afternoon, detailing the reasoning.

“This decision came after hearing several letters of concerns from citizens regarding the safety of patrons and employees,” the release stated, but added that the matter was already under consideration.

“Although the concerns brought the situation to the forefront (Tuesday) night there has been ongoing dialogue regarding the viability of keeping the rink open as the number of COVID positives cases continue to climb in our community.”

Council held a work session in October to “hear from those for and against opening the rink,” the release explained. “After much discussion, council as a whole, determined that if it could open for the hockey leagues and eventually to the public while following the safety guidelines — allowing for a safe recreational activity during a year like no other that has been filled with closures and cancellations of so many normal activities.”

Council members created guidelines and purchased personal protective equipment, and trained employees in COVID safety.

“Unfortunately, even with those steps taken it was not enough to be able to continue to operate in a safe manner,” the release stated. “In October there were less than a few dozen cases in the county, today the Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting more than 600 cases. It would be irresponsible and negligent to continue to operate a non-essential activity.”

There is no plan to reopen the rink, but council indicated they would continue to monitor the situation.

Lucco answered a few questions for The Era Wednesday afternoon, explaining that council members have been monitoring the coronavirus case numbers all along, and especially since the rink was opened.

“It’s been discussed multiple times since the opening because things have been on the uptick,” he said. And with the changing state mandates regarding mitigation measures, the city likely would have had to close soon anyway.

“Essentially when we determined to close city council meetings, we felt we were going to have to” close the rink, the administrator explained.

If the virus situation changes, council hasn’t ruled out reopening if it is feasible,

“At a time in the future, if it appears we can operate in a safe manner and the facilities could be utilized in a capacity to merit opening,” council members may consider it, Lucco explained.