JOHN COFFELTEditor

The Recreation Department will not get the synthetic ice rink that was planned for the 2023 holiday season, according to Parks and Rec. Assistant Director Becki Johnson.

Johnson told the Times that the timetable to get the rink ready for this season didn’t work.

“It didn’t go past the bidding process. Once it got to the bidding process, the timeline didn’t work, so we didn’t take it to (the) Finance (Committee),” Johnson said.

“Until it has gone 100% through the process it’s not a done deal,” she said.

During its regular meeting Oct. 10, the Manchester Tourism Commission approved funding the rental of an artificial ice skating rink at Rotary Park for the holiday season.

In the days that followed, the city ran request for bids In the Manchester Times on Oct. 16, looking to open bids in time for the November Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.

According to the RFB, sealed bids were due no later than Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Rental dates specified were November 29, 2023, to December 23, 2023.

During the discussion at the Oct. 10 Tourism Committee meeting, the dates, hours and costs for the proposed ice rink and the number of staff needed to work the event were presented by the Rec. Department. The Tourism Committee allocated funds to cover the Artificial Ice Events estimate of $46,775.21. Those funds are in a restricted line item and would need BOMA approval to release.

According to Parks and Recreation Director A.J. Fox, “As stated in the bid advertisement, the City reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals. In this case, the City decided to reject all proposals due to the lack of time in order to effectively operate the event.”

He added that “both the Manchester Tourism Commission and the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department take pride in the events/activities that we offer for the citizens of Manchester and the surrounding areas. We feel that by not offering the activity this Christmas season will allow us to plan and implement the special event in the future more successfully.”

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.