New Washington Park skating rink in Peru begins installation

Families experiencing some cabin fever soon will have a new outdoor winter activity to enjoy as the city of Peru has begun filling up the new ice skating rink at Washington Park.

While no official opening date has been set yet, Peru director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events Adam Thorson hopes to see the public enjoying the new attraction in the near future.

Close to a dozen parks and city workers put the liner in the rink and began filling the area with four to five inches of water that is now waiting to freeze.

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City of Peru workers use squeegees to spread water evenly throughout the ice rink and to stretch out the liner to prevent creases. (Scott Anderson/Filling Peru's Ice Rink)

Thorson said it is possible the rink could be opened during the week of Dec. 28, but as with most outdoor attractions, it will be weather permitting.

A plan regarding dedicated time for open skate and recreational skate is still in the works, but Thorson said the rink is big enough that it will be possible to house free skaters and hockey players at the same time.

Thorson said they will make the public aware of any dedicated times that are established as the opening approaches.

The plan for the rink is to remain open as long as the weather allows, as Thorson and the city are excited for people to enjoy the new addition. Thorson foresees an early to mid-February closing when the weather warms up.

“We will try to be able to get many kids and adults on the ice for two months to enjoy the new addition to Washington Park in Peru,” Thorson said. “The city is proud of this addition and welcomes people of all ages from any city.”

The order for the rink was placed at the beginning of October and was delivered around a month later.

Once the boards were delivered, the parks crew went to work.

Thorson thanked the hard work from the parks department and city workers in putting this together for the community.

“A lot of credit goes to the parks crew who assembled the boards,” Thorson said. “The two crew members assembled the boards in just 5 days.”

Peru Parks and Recreation Department will be sure to update the public as it is able to narrow down an opening date.