Even though the temperature was in the 60s and the grass was still green in southern Maine, it felt more like winter Saturday at Thompson’s Point in Portland.
Dozens of skaters took to the ice at the outdoor rink there. Granted, they were wearing shirtsleeves and shorts, but they were likely the only Mainers skating outside.
“I like how open it is and that it is outside and it’s still icy,” said Brady Inman, 9, of Cape Elizabeth.
Brady was among a flock of elementary school-age skaters at the rink Saturday afternoon, some joined by their parents, getting a jump on the winter sports season.
Now in its second year, the 10,000-square-foot rink opened Nov. 11, thanks to a refrigeration system that keeps the ice frozen even when the temperature is above freezing. Chris Myers, one of the rink managers, said the season got off to a slow start because of the unseasonably warm weather and a downpour in its first week.
“I am not sure people are quite into winter yet,” he said.
But on Saturday, the novelty of skating in the warmth appeared to be a draw for customers.
“Today is gorgeous,” said Litza Canniff of Kennebunk.
Inspired by the weather, she and her husband, Dennis, brought their children – Frank, 14, Kosta, 12, Maggie, 7, and Dennis, 4.
The rink will operate a tubing hill starting sometime next month, Myers said.
Other features are a sweeping view of planes landing and taking off at Portland International Jetport across the Fore River, a front-seat sunset view, a warming hut, food and drinks, and skate rentals.
On Saturday, skaters appeared to be having fun.
Chelsea Salamone and Taylor McGee, both visiting from Boston, sought out the ice as an antidote to what Salamone called “a long week at work.”
Sipping a beer, Salamone said she had never skated after drinking beer and wondered how her skating skills would hold up.
She was spotted later being towed around the rink by McGee, an accomplished women’s hockey player.
Lisa Allen and Ronald Gan, both of Portland, picked the venue for a date Saturday.
“This was my first time on the ice in 20 years. It was a hot skating date,” Allen said.
Gan, who plays recreational hockey, said he suggested the rink with a certain scenario in mind.
“There is the part where she falls, I catch her,” he said.
“It happened twice,” she said.
The weather turned considerably colder Sunday. The National Weather Service in Gray was calling for possible snow showers Sunday night, then daytime highs only in the lower 40s and nighttime lows near 30 degrees Monday through Wednesday.
The Rink at Thompson’s Point will be open daily, depending on the weather, into February.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.