Municipal Ice Rink Opens to Public Tonight

Bethlehem will open its newly renovated Municipal Ice Rink on Illick’s Mill Road to the public tonight with skating from 7 to 10 p.m, with DJ Double Impact providing the music.

The rink is also now open for hockey rentals, said Jane Persa, the city’s recreation director. The rink had been closed for a year to allow workers to complete a $685,000 renovation project. In 2010, City Council also voted to rename the rink in honor of former Mayor Earl E. Schaffer, who served from 1950 to 1962 and oversaw the construction of the Illick's Mill Road athletic complex.

Renovations included an underground piping system for brine to cool the ice, a new concrete pad, dasher boards and Plexi-glass surrounding what is now an official size hockey rink. Player boxes and a penalty box were also installed and the sound system was upgraded. A new scoreboard was donated by Pennoni Associates Inc. – Consulting Engineers of Bethlehem.

Additionally, an area for hockey teams has been divided into two rooms, Persa said at the city’s most recent Recreation Commission meeting last month. “We’re excited to see how it goes,” she added.

The rink is currently open until 11:15 p.m. for sessions, but the city will consider staying open later for teams wishing to book later practice sessions.

The rink offers a wide array of programs, including public skating sessions, season passes, rink rentals, a party room and snack bar. The skating school features figure skating, hockey programs and private lessons. For specific information, costs and reservations, call the recreation office at 610-865-7081 or visit the website at www.bethlehem-pa.gov. The Bethlehem Ice Rink also is on Facebook.

Open gym sessions, featuring basketball, weight lifting and fitness programs started Wednesday at The program, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, is free for Southside teens and no registration is necessary. Contact Mark Atkinson, Southside recreation coordinator, for information at 610-997-7971.