Famous New Hope Ice Rink Ready to Open with Repairs

It has been 20 years since the original Mighty Ducks movie hit theaters. It has been almost twice that long since the ice rink where it was filmed was revamped.

That rink inside the New Hope Ice Arena is now reopening to the public, complete with renovations.

"We're excited about the new technology, we're excited about eliminating utility costs by a third, and were excited about operating a system that we can manipulate to our needs," said New Hope Recreation & Facilities Manager Jim Corbett.

The original North Rink was built in 1975. Corbett was working with the city then too.

"It was a single sheet on a sand floor with freon controlled refrigeration," Corbett said.

Now there is a new cement floor under the ice, a new roof, energy efficient equipment and new ice.

"It just feels a lot smoother and easier to skate on and you can tell by all the fresh paint and stuff that it's new and better," said 15 year old Kinsley Kehlenbeck, who skates for Armstrong Cooper Hockey.

A south rink was added to the building in 1996, which remained open during renovation.

"If there's any legacy to the whole building, it's in the great people that have come through here and participated," Corbett said.

The grand reopening ceremony for the New Hope Ice Arena is on Wednesday, August 22nd. 

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