JOHN COFFELTEditor

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the operations protocol at the July 2 meeting for a synthetic ice rink for public use Dec. 2-22 at Rotary Park.

Participation will cost skaters $5 per hour plus skate rental. Hours will be Monday through Friday 4-8 p.m. and 2:30-8 p.m. during the weekend. A maximum of 30 skaters can use the rink at a time.

The Recreation Commission’s approval recommended up to a $10 per hour fee for skaters.

Alderman Julie Anderson, who serves on the Recreation Commission, said that the additional amount was designed to maintain the sustainability of the program.

The contract to rent the equipment is currently funded through a state American Recovery Act grant earmarked to develop tourism activities. The contract to rent the rink was approximately $43,000, plus a security fence for $1,000.

The grant is designed to foster sustainable projects that once the grant ends would still continue without costing the city revenue.

“Tennessee is one of the few states that received ARP funds for tourism development,” Alderman Ryan French said. “It’s not attached anyway for any other expenditures.”

The $5 admission fee will cover the cost of Recreation Department staffing.

Alderman Joey Hobbs, who serves on the Tourism Commission that partnered with the Recreation Department on the rink, said that he felt the city sponsorships could make the rink sustainable.

“Through sponsorships I think we can make up the additional $5 to make it to where it’s something sustainable year after year,” Hobbs said.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.