The Warinanco Park Skating Rink---a familiar old friend and landmark for Union County skaters since 1961---will 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 announced.
Work is expected to begin by the end of this Summer, and last approximately one year.
During that time, the facility will be closed for open public skating, but remain open for high school games and practices.
“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 a freeholder. “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:
- A new state-of-the-art field house which will measure 11,000 square 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 rink will become known as the Warinanco Sports Center going forward once the project is complete.
The rink, which is located on the Roselle side of the park, 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
Warinanco Park has seen extensive renovations culminating over the past year with the opening of the new athletic turf field and track area on the Roselle side, and a new sprayground/playground sports area on the Elizabeth side, across from the Boat House.
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.