This past week, the village of Westhampton Beach resurrected an ice skating rink that had previously been near the marina. 2010 was the last year that the rink was opened. This winter, the village decided to bring back the rink and place it on the Great Lawn.

Westhampton Beach Mayor Maria Moore says that as long as the weather is permitting, the rink will stay open. She also stressed that hockey is not permitted because the “sides of the rink may be damaged by the puck.” In 2010, the rink was by the Marina in Westhampton Beach. The move to the Great Lawn was due to a larger space for the rink, as well as the fact that the high water levels at the marina prevented the freezing of the rink.

Mayor Moore said that a skate rental system may be implemented. “I’ve discussed with the Board of Trustees the purchase of skates, thinking that they could be rented from the Chamber of Commerce Office on Glover’s Lane, but unfortunately they don’t have enough space,” stated the Mayor.

Depending on the response to the current rink, Mayor Moore informed The Hurricane Eye that she, “may propose that the Village purchase a rink similar to the one in Southampton.” The Southampton rink has coils under it to keep the ice frozen regardless of the temperature on a given day, which would allow skating for a much longer window during the winter. “The rink would also have wooden sides that would allow for ice hockey at specified times,” Mayor Moore stated.

The Mayor also informed the Hurricane Eye of future plans for the Village, such as a possible kayak rental system at the Marina this summer, as well as a park on Glover’s Lane.

The current rink is free to skate on and as long as it is deemed safe, it will be open!