Tanner and Trevor Berglund try out the sample of synthetic ice purchased by Cook County. Their impression—synthetic ice is harder to skate on than real ice. But they had fun being in skates anyway.
Artificial ice was introduced as an idea that could extend the ice skating season in Cook County, and a trial section of ice was ordered at a cost of $2,000. However, after receiving the sample piece of synthetic ice, the Cook County Amateur Hockey Association is unsure if it wants the county to proceed with the approximately $65,000 purchase of synthetic ice.
The desire for more ice was precipitated by the county’s change to the Cook County Curling Club lease, which allows the club to use the ice rink for 5½ months—more in keeping with the club’s historic use of the building.
However, more curling means less ice time for the hockey association, as well as recreational and gym class use of the indoor ice.
In August, Cook County Community Center Director Diane Booth and some hockey association parents and grandparents appeared before the Cook County commissioners, asking them to allow them to purchase a trial sample of synthetic ice. The county board was receptive to and authorized Booth to order an 8’x32’ piece of interlocking synthetic ice panels as a way of finding out if the product would work for outdoor skating during the shoulder seasons.
On September 13, the board approved on amendment to the application for 1 percent tax revenue for a new community center to include up to $65,000 for a 40′ x 80′ synthetic ice rink with acessories.
The sample of synthetic ice arrived last week and is in place on the driveway in front of the old Search and Rescue building, next to the community center, where hockey families and skating enthusiasts can try it out. It met with mixed results.
Young skaters trying it out over the weekend said the synthetic surface is “harder” to skate on than real ice. There are concerns that it will wear skates out faster than real ice. And, as the kids practiced, flakes of white plastic flew through the air, covering clothes.
It was also noted that the synthetic ice fits together like a giant puzzle, but like a jigsaw puzzle it needs an extremely level surface so that the pieces lie flat. In the trial spot by the Search and Rescue building, the pieces did not fit together perfectly, leaving tiny ridges that could catch skates.
Another concern is what would happen to the ice if it rained or snowed and the panels froze in place. Would it create a surface that could not be skated on? Would it damage the county’s investment? But hockey families are torn. If it’s synthetic ice or nothing, should they push for the artificial surface? Roxanne Berglund, mother of two avid young hockey players, and an upcoming mini-mite skater, said the choice is traveling to Silver Bay and beyond for ice time. “We pay to travel. We pay for ice time. We’d much rather spend the money in our own community,” said Berglund.
Larry Gamer, an ardent supporter of Cook County hockey, watched his grandsons try out the ice sample, trying to decide whether or not he liked the artificial surface. “There are lots of logistics to work out,” he said.
At press time, Community Center Director Diane Booth said none of the concerns have been discussed in depth. A community center board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 3. However, Booth said she had received a request from the hockey association to hold off on the purchase until next year.
The sample ice will not go to waste. When the authorization was given to purchase the test piece, Booth said it could be used for shooting practice for hockey, making a remote-controlled vehicle park, or perhaps a big slide.
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