A Union County landmark, the Warinanco Park Skating Rinkwill undergo an extensive $7 million modernization and renovation that will double the overall complex space and transform it into a year-round venue for skating and other activities, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced.
Most parts of the facility are currently in an advanced state of deterioration and will be torn down and replaced by new construction and signage. Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan is the general contractor, and Netta Architects of Mountainside has designed the new facility.The work, which will last approximately one year, is expected to begin by the end of this summer. During that time, the facility will only remain open for high school games and practices.
The rink is home ice for hockey teams from five Union County high schools -- including Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School -- and is used by nearly 50,000 skaters each year.
“Our goal is to provide modernized amenities for skaters while creating a venue that can remain in use year-round for a variety of purposes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Warinanco Park Skating Rink was considered a state-of-the-art facility when it opened in 1961, and we are looking forward to an exciting update that will restore its prominence.”
Elements of the renovation/modernization include:
Elements of the renovation/modernization include:
- A new state-of-the-art field house which will measure 11,000 sq. feet, and include a room for parties, a food concession area, a video game room, a retail pro shop and skate rental room;
- A new exterior seating area that will be covered, protecting patrons from the elements;
- The rink’s refrigeration building will be renovated;
- A new ice rink floor (covering the same foot print) including new refrigeration piping, LEED lighting and reflective ceiling which will be made from a material which will help prevent humidity build-up;
- New bleachers and flooring surrounding the ice floor as well as new boards, glass and nets;
- An all new gas fireplace/stone covered and running the height of the building;
- Team locker rooms will be remodeled.
“The Warinanco Park Skating Rink is a place where generations of families have made memories and will continue to do so once the renovations are complete,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Board’s parks liaison. “We look forward to cutting the ribbon next year on the imaginative recreation of this landmark.”
The rink will become known as the Warinanco Sports Center once the project is complete. Once the ice is removed in the spring and summer, field turf will be laid on the rink floor. Baseball/softball batting cages will be added as well as an infield to service the large number of baseball and softball leagues that currently use the park.
Located on the Roselle side of the park, the rink was part of the original plans for the park drawn up in the 1920s. It was finally built and opened as an outdoor facility in October 1961 with much fanfare. The rate card billed the rink as “The First Public Artificial Ice Skating Rink in Union County.”
Located in the City of Elizabeth, and the Borough of Roselle, Warinanco Park, which opened in the mid 1920s, comprises 205 acres of developed park land, and was originally designed by the Olmsted Firm. Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world's most important parks.
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