SALAMANCA, N.Y. — With installation of the new artificial rink complete at the Bill Flanigan Memorial Ice Pond, the city of Salamanca is accepting bids for interested parties wishing to supervise the community space this winter.

Rob Carpenter, Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, said his crew also created a changing area adjacent to the fenced-in rink where people may change from boots into skates before going out on the ice. Local business Dr. Green Lawn-Custom Turf donated a section of astroturf to go on the changing area, he said.

“We had to do a couple cuts, but it’s on there nice,” he added. “We have some benches now that we’re putting out there.”

Carpenter said the city could purchase up to 88 leftover underlayment panels — some of which the DPW used for the changing area — for about $4,400. He said they would count up the Ajinomoto Build-Up Film (ABF) resin panels and either keep them all or send back what the city wouldn’t use for the difference.

Additionally, the city is also waiting to receive replacement panels for the skating surface as well as a different, permanent fence, said Jay Bartoszek, City Administrator. Carpenter said the DPW could also build a railing around the changing area.

“This is going to be kind of a ‘learn-as-we-go’ for us on maintaining it,” he added. “We’ll figure it out.”

But before anyone can lace up their skates, Mayor Sandra Magiera said the city still needs to hire a supervisor. Attendants may sell pre-packaged concessions — there is currently no plumbing at the site — and keep the profits above the bid. The mayor said the property will also have a porta-john for this season.

Meanwhile, Bartoszek said the city will also have to research the best methods for covering and protecting the rink during the warmer months, noting the possible effects of UV on the material from extended sun exposure.

“Remember, we got a thicker ice sheet than we were originally supposed to,” he added, going from a 3/8 inch to a 1/2 inch skating surface. “That’s a pretty significant difference.”

Concerning other accessories for the pond, Magiera said the city was looking into purchasing new skating aids. Carpenter said some older ones were removed from the former warming hut before it was demolished.

“A skate-sharpening machine we have, but it’s been a few years since we’ve had it up and running,” he said. A new one would cost about $1,500, he added.

“We were thinking that we might have to replace the old one,” Magiera said. “We didn’t know what kind of shape it’s in.”

Looking to the future of the site, Carpenter said several people have approached him about having the rink open all year, rather than only October to April as originally planned.

Councilman Mike Reed, D-Ward 4, said that could be something the council explores once the new permanent chalet with a skate rental area, concessions, accessible restrooms and a heated gathering space is built. Council President Kylee Johnson, D-Ward 2, suggested the city look into building a splash pad on the southern half of the site.

“And then where the ice rink is, we can expand it as we go along,” Carpenter added. “I think we’re 43 feet shy of making it all the way across.”

For more information on skating hours or supervising the site, contact the clerk’s office at (716) 945-4620 or the mayor’s office at (716) 945-3110.