Figure Skaters Scrambling for a New Home

The Norwich Ice Rink has shut its doors for the 2nd time in 3 months.

Figure skaters and hockey players who call the Norwich Ice Rink home are scrambling to find ice time after the rink suddenly shut down.

The chiller, which keeps the ice at a constant temperature, failed earlier this week and the Norwich Ice Rink Authority has to figure out whether to replace the chiller or repair. Both options are costly and may take several months to resolve.

The latest problem with the chiller comes just months after the equipment was repaired at a cost of $70,000.

Ashley Foy is the director of the Norwich Figure Skating Club and has been working with her students to find nearby ice rinks now that their home rink is closed.

"When I called all of my students they were surprised,” Foy said. “They didn't think this type of thing would happen so soon after it just happened in February and it was closed for quite a while."

The Norwich Ice Rink is losing revenue each day it remains closed. The rink is owned by the city of Norwich but is operated by the Norwich Ice Rink Authority whose members are appointed by the city council.

Foy is helping her figure skaters find other arrangements. "The Bolton ice arena is about 40-45 minutes from Norwich. Cromwell is another 40-45 minutes and Simsbury is about an hour away," Foy said.

How long a repair or replacement will take remains to be seen. The authority held an emergency meeting Tuesday night and is still trying to figure out a solution.