New Refrigerated Ice Rink Supports Sports Teams in Southern Maine

Cape Elizabeth, Maine — Winter sports in Maine may get off to a rocky start this season due to lack of snow and warmer temperatures, but some ice skating and hockey teams are lucky.

Owned by the Cape Community Arena Group and located in Gulls Crest Field, the new refrigerated outdoor ice rink is now the heart of Cape Elizabeth. About 300 people from the community turned out to show their support over the first weekend.

It’s also where the girls’ high school skating team spends a lot of time.

The team is made up of girls from Cape Elizabeth High School, South Portland High School and Wainfleet School.

“Ice time has been generally tight this year, prices have gone up and budgets have been cut. said Julie Fart, Chairman of the Cape Community Arena Group.

The link was officially released to the public on January 6th.

We offer open skating, ice skating, and hockey lessons for different age groups, but making time for high school girls to practice is a priority.

“Most of the time we run the whole morning, ice maintenance in the afternoon, and then run from 2pm to 9-10pm with a variety of programs,” says Hult.

The women’s team drove for 45 minutes in practice before the Cape Elizabeth Rink opened.

“I think we are all very grateful that we no longer have to take the bus to Saco to get to UNE. [University of New England] A few times a week,” said Libby Hooper, a member of the girls’ high school’s ice skating team.

Furt and the Cape Community Arena Group set up the link to point out how important it is to run it for these girls.

“They don’t buss to other communities. It helps the sport grow and makes it easier for these girls to play,” Hult said.

The new rink is run mostly by volunteers, some of whom have actually learned how to drive a Zamboni.

The group’s full vision is to raise enough funds to make it a fully covered link.

Download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app for the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts.