Skating on solid ice

A Philadelphia City Council Committee has approved a partnership to keep city ice-skating rinks open.

Some of the rinks will be privatized.

The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation is putting up $1 million initially for maintenance and capital improvements to the rinks as part of a $12 million upgrade to the five city facilities. Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson said the 20-year deal includes privatizing some of the facilities.

“At the Scanlon, Sims and Simons rinks, the foundation will supply full-time staff and equipment while, at the other two rinks, the department will provide the staff and equipment needs,” said Slawson. “The foundation-provided programs will help to expand current offerings.”

The skating facilities were targeted to close because they had fallen into disrepair. The deal requires the operators to offer some free open skate time to the public.