PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Not since the city operated an ice skating rink many years ago at the site of the proposed Community Center at the intersection of Chapman Road and Riverside Drive has there been an outdoor facility for skaters to enjoy. That is no longer the case, with the recent opening of an ice rink behind UMPI’s Gentile Hall.
Students, faculty, staff and those with a membership to Gentile Hall will be able to enjoy ice skating in the open air right on campus, following the university’s establishment of a 30- by 60-foot rink, which officially opened on Feb. 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with UMPI President Linda Schott and other campus officials marked the occasion.
Dennis Koch, UMPI director of housing and residence life, said the idea came about as a result of a conversation he had last fall with a student.
“The idea for the rink started in September when a student stopped by my office wondering what there was to do on the weekends. The conversation turned to outdoor activities,” said Koch.
Koch said this brought back memories of his days working at a college in Vermont and how much ice skating was enjoyed as a pastime, so he asked around to see if any outdoor skating was done on campus during the winter.
“The idea had been batted around several times before but no one had really taken the idea and run with it,” said Koch. “So I did some research on what it would take to build one on campus,”
After consulting with Gregg Bouchard, UMPI’s director of facilities management, they found a company that sold rink kits and purchased a 30- by 60-foot kit. Then facilities installed the rink and lights behind Gentile Hall to shine on the rink. UMPI students from the Hockey Club and the Outing Club have provided support and feedback for the project. Koch said if the rink gets a high level of usage this winter, officials will look into getting a bigger rink next year.
“We felt this was a good fit with our physical activities programs. The Physical Plant and Outdoor Outing Club keep it clean,” said Koch.
Schott said this was the closest she’s been to an ice rink.
“We appreciate Dennis’s vision. We hope you’ll make use of the rink,” said Schott, at the ribbon-cutting event.
Schott said Koch has other ideas that will enhance outdoor recreation at the campus.
“Dennis has other things in mind, such as a snowshoe and ski trail. It’s all part of making the campus better, more attractive and engaging,” said Schott.
Eric Depner, a student and member of UMPI’s hockey and golf teams, thanked campus officials Koch, Bouchard and Fred Thomas, head of security, for their support of the project.
“We hope to make it grow,” said Depner.
“This is something we hope will grow. As more use it, the more it will. Eric’s a sophomore but his goal is, when he’s a senior, to be able to have a rink large enough to play a game on,” said Koch.
A switch at the back of Gentile will enable skaters to use the facility at night, using lights mounted on the back of the building.
Koch said enthusiasm for the new rink has increased as the official opening neared.
“The excitement in so many people’s faces here on campus when they found out that the rink was here was amazing. We are very excited to provide this fun and active recreational activity for our campus. There are a number of residential students, including our international students, who don’t have transportation and are always looking for something fun to do, so this gives them an additional on-campus opportunity for activity,” said Koch.
The new rink will be used for recreational skating, with lights allowing nighttime use.
Due to liability reasons, the rink is only open to students, faculty, staff and those who have a Gentile Hall membership.
