Fundraising for rink reaches halfway mark

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Naugatuck youth have fun at the former skating rink at Joseph R. Healy Recreation Area on Meadow Street in Naugatuck in 2009. An effort to raise money for a portable ice skating rink has reached the halfway mark. –RA ARCHIVE
Naugatuck youth have fun at the former skating rink at Joseph R. Healy Recreation Area on Meadow Street in Naugatuck in 2009. An effort to raise money for a portable ice skating rink has reached the halfway mark. –RA ARCHIVE

NAUGATUCK — The borough is halfway to having a portable ice skating rink.

Naugatuck resident Linda Ramos is spearheading the effort to raise money to purchase the rink. She has about $3,000 thus far. Ramos said the rink will cost $6,000 in total.

Ramos had originally envisioned purchasing a rink with synthetic ice so that it could be used even if temperatures did not fall below freezing. However, the cost of the synthetic ice proved to be too high.

“The synthetic ice is over $34,000,” Ramos said. “So that is out of the question.”

Ramos has been holding numerous fundraisers for the rink. The last fundraiser, which took place at Tequila Grill, raised over $500.

The next fundraiser will be at Kids Create, 677 Rubber Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 28.

Nate Munro, owner of Kids Create, said the company will donate $2 of each $8 art project towards the skating rink 

“We are donating simply because Linda has become a good friend to us at our shop, and because of her considerable passion for making Naugatuck a better community, especially for our kids.” Munro said.

Ramos doesn’t think enough funds will be raised to have the rink purchased and installed this winter.

“It took me a year to get me where I am, so I am not sure that’s possible unless someone comes along and gives me a big donation,” Ramos said.

Ramos said the rink will give children who don’t play other sports an activity to participate in during the winter.  

“I think it’s what the community needs. I think that kids would love it. I think that families would love it,” Ramos said.

Ramos said the plan is to charge $1 per skater to use the rink. All the money would go towards the upkeep of the rink.

For Ramos, the effort of raising the money will be worth it once children start showing up at the rink.

“Anything we do for children is a plus,” Ramos said.