T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM The red sign attached to the pole means stop — people should not use the Marshalltown Parks & Recreation Department ice skate rink on Main Street yet. Staff are waiting for consistent cold temperatures to ensure the water inside the rink is frozen through. When the ice is ready, a green sign will take the place of red.

The downtown ice rink is assembled, but not ready for usage yet.

The high temperatures have prevented the water from becoming fully frozen. Marshalltown Parks and Recreation Director Kelsie Stafford said until the water is frozen through, the public will not be able to use it. However, she has hope that the time for that is drawing near, but not likely this week.

“How long it takes to get people on the ice depends on temperatures, and looking at the temps coming up, it’s going to be cold in the next few weeks,” Stafford said. “[For the rink to open,] the days should be in the mid-20s and the nights should be single digits to teens.”

According to AccuWeather, today will reach 2 degrees and the night will get to -1 degrees. Monday will be 34 degrees; Tuesday, 40; Wednesday, 43; Thursday, 33; Friday, 39; and Saturday, 43.

“It needs to consistently be at least in the mid-20s to form the ice,” she said.

To help folks know when the ice is ready, Stafford said the city will use colored signs facing Main Street. Red means the ice is too soft, and people should not use it yet. A green sign means the rink is open for all to enjoy.

With skating enthusiasts waiting for the ice to form, Stafford said the city did address the problem which led to the rink’s closure in February, before the end of the season. Last year, there was a tear in the liner, which led to water seeping out of the rink. Stafford said the tear could have been caused by a skater accidentally ripping the liner or skating too close to the edge where the liner was exposed.

“We purchased and installed kickboards to protect the liner,” she said.

The rink is free to anyone who owns a pair of ice skates. If someone does not have a pair of skates, Stafford said they can rent from the Parks & Rec Department for $2 per day. The department is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There have been no new rules implemented for the rink this year. Stafford said users should be aware they will assume any risk, have proper safety gear and should skate clear of any possible soft spots on the ice.

She is looking forward to the opening of the rink, and knows Marshalltown residents are, as well.

“People are very interested, and they want to use it,” Stafford said. “Last year was also not great weather for it. It was unseasonably typical, but I think the temperatures will be more cooperative this year and we should seek a spike in usage.”

RINK INFORMATION:

Address: 2 W. Main Street

Days: Sunday through Saturday

Hours: Dawn until 9 p.m.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.