Nantucket Ice Rink To Remain Open With Modified Schedule Until March 16th
David Creed •
The Nantucket Ice Rink announced Monday afternoon that its doors will remain open beyond the Feb. 10th deadline set by fire chief Michael Cranson following a failed inspection in late 2024 after the rink was able to install a new detection system over the weekend and address safety concerns uncovered by the fire department.
The rink's board announced in a statement that it will close on March 16th for the spring season, something it has done in the past and other rinks do as well. Nantucket Ice will decommission its current plant and plans to reopen by June 1st with a leased plant.
The rink will need to abandon some of its usual programs such as adult hockey programming and the open skate sessions, but will continue to provide ice time for the boys and girls varsity hockey teams and youth hockey. Facilities director Bryan Larivee also worked with the fire department to secure ice time every Tuesday and Thursday for the figure skating club as well.
Cranson told the Current Tuesday afternoon that Nantucket Ice has taken "a significant first step" to address Nantucket Fire Department safety concerns with the installation of a new ammonia detection system. He said there are still several additional safety issues with the rink’s ammonia refrigeration system, however, that must be fixed, including ventilation, pressure relief valves, emergency shut offs, and machinery room drainage, which is why they are keeping the rink open with a modified schedule.
"Out of an abundance of caution for public safety, the Nantucket Fire Department requests that Nantucket Ice operate on a modified schedule until it closes for the season on March 16, limiting activities to previously scheduled organized events with predictable participation numbers," Cranson said. "I anticipate Nantucket Ice will address all remaining safety concerns during its off-season, returning to full capacity when it reopens in June."
The rink released a statement thanking Larivee and others for their work to keep the rink's doors open.
"Nantucket Ice will continue to be open and operate with our current programming, serving our mission to promote a healthy recreational environment where Nantucket’s children, adults, and families can gather to enjoy the sport of ice skating and develop a sense of community spirit,” the rink said in a statement. “It is incredible to see how many people care about our rink and what we are doing. Thank you specifically to the Nantucket Fire Department in coordination with our facilities manager, Bryan Larivee, have been especially proactive in finding a solution to keep us open. Thank you also to the user groups who benefit from Nantucket Ice and have been patient and supportive in every way.”
Siam To Go, the rink's Thai restaurant, announced on their Facebook page that they were instructed by the Nantucket Fire Department and Health Department to suspend their operations until further notice due to the necessary facility repairs.
"We apologize for any inconvenience and truly appreciate your support and understanding during this time," Siam To Go said in a statement. "We will keep you updated on any changes and let you know as soon as we are allowed to reopen."
The rink said they have identified a new chilling plant and are “working hard” to raise the appropriate funds to have the new plant installed in a timely manner.
“This effort will allow us to continue to serve our mission and to celebrate the next 25 years,” the rink concluded. You can view their modified programming on their website.
Once the rink closes on March 16th, they will remove the ammonia refrigeration system and from there, figure out what programming they can offer while the new plant is being installed.
In the meantime, the rink had an off island crew come in and install a brand new ammonia detection system. Larivee said the new ammonia detection system has multiple censors inside the plant and if there is an ammonia leak, newly installed beacons will sound and flash blue. Simultaneously it will alert the main alarm in the building and also to the fire department
The rink began to have concerns about their ability to stay open through the remainder of the winter season following a failed inspection by the Nantucket Fire Department that uncovered several safety concerns pertaining to areas of the rink including its ammonia refrigeration system.
“For the safety and wellbeing of the community, the Nantucket Fire Department conducts regular inspections of public recreation facilities, including Nantucket Ice,” Cranson told the Current last month. “In late 2024, we observed several safety concerns associated with the rink’s ammonia refrigeration system, which could pose a significant risk and danger to public health and safety.”
Cranson said the concerns included issues with ammonia detection and alarms, ventilation, personal protective equipment, pressure relief valves, emergency shut offs and machinery room drainage.
“Failure to complete required corrective actions identified during the inspection will result in a temporary closure of Nantucket Ice on February 10, 2025, which will remain in effect until the facility is brought into compliance with safety regulations,” Cranson said. “We look forward to a swift and comprehensive resolution of the identified safety violations to avoid a shutdown of Nantucket Ice.”
In a statement, the Nantucket Ice Board acknowledged the issues with the facility’s refrigeration plant and emphasized its focus on modernizing the rink.
“Nantucket Ice first opened its doors in 2002 as a brand-new facility,” the trustees said. “In addition to siting and constructing the building and facilities, the project included the best ice-making refrigeration plant that fit within the project’s scope and budget at the time. As the refrigeration plant has aged, the rink staff has worked diligently to keep it operating efficiently while evaluating options to upgrade to the next generation of equipment.
“Unfortunately, a number of issues with the refrigeration plant have arisen, and we will have to temporarily close our doors this spring,” the trustees continued. “The rink’s board is actively collaborating with industry leaders who are engineering a new system with cutting- edge technology. This new plant will help us not only to achieve our short-term goal of reopening as soon as possible but also ensure that we operate at the highest levels of safety and energy efficiency."
The rink is a 501c3 that was founded in 1995 before being built and opened seven years later in July of 2002. The rink’s weekly schedule offers activities ranging from public skating, learn to skate classes for figure skating and hockey, open freestyle, puck & stick, men’s league, curling, and kids on ice. It is also the home for Nantucket High School’s boys and girls varsity hockey teams, the Nantucket Nor’easters Youth Hockey Teams, Nantucket Skating Club, Island Waves Synchronized Skating Team, and the Nantucket Curling Club.