Hampton Bays Ice Rink Won't Open This Year

No happy family memories will be made on Southampton's ice skating rink, which is based in Hampton Bays, this season — Chris Bean, the town's parks and recreation supervisor, said the rink's liner needs to be replaced.

According to Bean, the liner, which has been in use for seven seasons, has worn out and will cost $4,000 to replace. That money, he said, has not been budgeted this year and his department is working to request funding in the town's next budget.

"We will have a rink in 2014 and only possibly sooner, if we can work it out" said Bean, noting that it is not on the top of his department's agenda as his staff has been busy remediating damage at parks caused by Superstorm Sandy.

In year's past, the town has opened the rink in mid-January after five consecutive days of 30 degree weather to ensure the freezing of the rink.

The orginal liner was donated to the town by the Mark Sinclair Foundation and Bean said the town will, of course, accept any donations toward a new liner.

It is unclear if any of the area's ice rinks will open this year — The Village of Westhampton Beach also is unsure about the opening of it's rink, which sat at the Village Marina in the past.

After Hurricane Sandy ravaged the marina, the village has declared the area unsafe for the rink and it exploring other options, including the great lawn.

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