Ironwood ice rink construction under way

IRONWOOD - Area residents may have noticed an ice rink being assembled at Depot Park in downtown Ironwood.

Beginning Tuesday, the Borth brothers, Levi, 14; Josh, 19, and Nathan, 29, put on their working gloves and started assembling an ice rink.

Nathan said he got the idea to build an outdoor ice rink after he moved back to Ironwood from New Hampshire. "I built one before on the East Coast," he said. "When I moved here about a year-and-a-half ago, there weren't many options to go skating," he said.

Nathan said the ice rink was made possible through support from the city of Ironwood and sponsorships from local businesses.

City manager Scott Erickson said the city will provide water and electricity to show its support for a "good cause.

"This an opportunity for kids and local residents to have an outside skating experience," he said.

"It's a great aspect to the community to have for us to enjoy."

So far, Nathan said he and his brothers have put in about 20 hours of work into the ice rink. Nathan said they're almost done with the boards.

"We've got 32 sheets of plywood, about 40 two-by-fours and 20 two-by-sixes," he said as Josh operated a power drill to make boards.

Still to come, Nathan said they're going to "put down a plastic liner, flood it out with water once it's cold enough and let it freeze." Nathan said they also have to put up fencing behind the boards to stop pucks and put up lights.

When the rink is open to the public, Nathan said he wants to see the community enjoy the outdoors.

"I want the community to come together, put up more recreational things to do outside and get out and enjoy," he said.

As winter approaches, Nathan said he's still looking for businesses and residents to support the cause. To stay up to date on the progress, Nathan said to follow Graystone Studio on Facebook.