Supporters Seek Donations for Public Skating Rink

A local group is looking to raise money to help make a public outdoor ice skating rink at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth a reality.

The rink would be up for three months each winter. But some neighbors strongly oppose the plan, and supporters say money is needed to pay the legal fees incurred defending the plan, according to the GoFundMe.com page. Patch has partnered with GoFundMe to highlight campaigns in local communities.

In two months, 78 people have donated $12,050. The goal is $25,000.

From the page:

Portsmouth, New Hampshire is proud to be recognized as one of the most livable small cities in the country. We’ve got it all…almost. Culture, working waterfront, world-class restaurants, deep historical roots – the list goes on. What we don’t have is a public outdoor ice skating rink. And we need one! Winters are long in New England and creating a place to gather for a healthy outdoor activity will benefit everyone.

For the past year a group of volunteers has been working to make a seasonal, outdoor ice skating rink a reality. It will be called Puddle Dock Pond and will be located at Strawbery Banke Museum in downtown Portsmouth—a nonprofit organization. Puddle Dock Pond is a tastefully designed, low impact rink that will be up for just 3 months in the winter. But during those three months imagine kids taking skating lessons, families spending time together on the ice, pick-up pond hockey…Let’s get off our smart phones and get our kids off the computer and get some fresh air!

BUT FOR THE PROJECT TO MOVE FORWARD WE NEED TO RAISE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE LEGAL FEES INCURRED DEFENDING THE PLAN against a few stongly opposed neighbors. 

We already have the legal land use requirements, tremendous community support, and business sponsors waiting to help pay for the capital expenses. We also have a growing list of local businesses and professionals who have generously donated valuable time and services to design and plan this unique venue. 

However, we need to RAISE 25 thousand dollars to cover the bills from lawyers we had to hire to argue and defend the legality of the proposed rink.

Please support Puddle Dock Pond by making a tax deductible donation to the legal fund. 

Together we can build a community asset that we will all enjoy for years to come…

(A donation to this campaign will only go to fund the Puddle Dock Pond project. It is not a gift to the annual fund for Strawbery Banke Museum)