The Friends of Kelly Rink are looking forward to our 13th ice skating season at the temporary Kelly Rink on Marbury Terrace behind the Stony Brook T stop. The Rink will open in mid-December. Thousands of local youths take advantage of the Department of Recreation and Conservation (DCR)-sponsored free skating and our $1 skate rentals to make the Kelly Rink their winter recreation spot.
We will again offer an eight-week, US Figure Skating “Learn to Skate Program” directed by professional ice skating teacher Kim Wheeland. The program will begin on Sat., Jan. 8. Check the next issue of the Gazette for the December sign-up dates.
In addition to our work at the temporary rink, the Friends of Kelly Rink continue to collaborate with Urban Edge, Jackson Square Partners, other interested community groups and our elected officials to bring a state-of-the-art indoor skating rink to Roxbury and Jamaica Plain as part of the Jackson Square development project.
Our skate rental trailer is operated in cooperation with Jeff Ferris of Ferris Wheels Bike Shop. Max Lee, who has his own bike shop, Mel’s Hyde Park Bike Shop, is the manager of the rental trailer. With the able assistance of Cassandra Hernandez, Marquis Mathis and Robert Winston, Max has met the needs of up to 420 skaters a day with his calm and professional demeanor.
We thank everyone at DCR for their commitment to the temporary Kelly Rink. Their total renovation of the facility and their donation of our new spacious skate rental trailer have greatly improved the functionality of the rink.
Special thanks go to the Boston Foundation and the United States Figure Skating Association for their very generous contributions this past year that enabled us to renovate the new DCR-donated rental trailer, buy new skates and offer scholarships to our Learn to Skate Program.
We also want to thank our elected officials, Sen. Sonia Chang Díaz, State reps. Liz Malia and Jeffrey Sánchez, former City Councilor John Tobin and Clerk of Criminal Court Maura Hennigan for their support. We thank, as well, the local businesses and individuals whose financial support is invaluable to our program: Boston Building Materials Coop, The Boston Foundation, Brookside Community Health Center, City Feed and Supply, Classic Cleaners, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Diaz Foreign Car Specialists, Tom O’Malley for the Kevin Fitzgerald Memorial, Fresh Hair, JP Youth Soccer, the JP Gazette, Clerk of Criminal Court Maura Hennigan, Hyde Square Task Force, Knights of Columbus Roxbury Council #120, state Rep. Liz Malia, Mike’s Fitness, Mann and Rodgers, Morrison’s Auto-Rite, Mt. Washington Bank, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, The Power Company, Regan Youth League, Sorella’s Restaurant, Southern JP Health Center, Spontaneous Celebrations, Stanley Services, former City Councilor John Tobin, Ula Café, Urban Edge and Yumont Hardware.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on the ice this winter.
Steve Glickel and Michael Frank
For Friends of Kelly Rink