Zachary Hockey Rink Makeover Completed

Residents of Plymouth now have several more ways to have fun in the sun - and on the ice. The Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department recently finished renovating the Zachary Hockey Rink, 4355 Zachary Lane. The plan was to update its hockey facilities in order to better meet community needs.

The rink renovation marks the second hockey rink renovation for the city. In 2010, the Plymouth Creek Playfield Hockey Rink was renovated and feature concrete floors and professional dasher boards. During the winter months, the concrete floors ensure a better ice skating surface and provide an overall enhanced hockey experience, according to Park and Recreation officials.

An additional feature at the outdoor Zachary Hockey Rink is the establishment of a new seasonal parking lot adjacent to the rink, which will be open for use during the winter season, ensuring skaters easier access.

Director of Plymouth Parks and Recreation Diane Evans explained that all though smaller - downsized from a traditional 200-by-85-foot to 170-by-80-foot in size, each rink has become more functional.

"We think this size is more appropriate for the current level of outdoor hockey play that is taking place," Evans said. "It will also save considerably on the cost of the rink. The rink will be easier to flood with a concrete floor and will use less water."

She said that the addition of a concrete floor would change the recreational facility from being able to be used for 10 weeks per year to 52.

"Future programming may include roller hockey lesson and/or leagues, skateboarding, bike rodeo events," Evans said.

The cost for the renovations at Zachary is estimated to be $230,000, while the renovations at Plymouth Creek cost $225,000.

Plymouth's outdoor hockey rinks were built between 1980 and 1981. As time passed, both the communitys' needs and the state of the rinks were evaluated on an ongoing basis by the city.

In 2009, an updated plan for the future of the rinks was presented to the City Council, detailing an agenda for the future of outdoor skating in Plymouth.

The plan called for downsizing from the current number of 11 outdoor skating facilities to six and renovating some of the existing rinks. Renovations on the rinks began in 2010.

The Plymouth Creek site was the first to transition to a new hybrid rink, which includes a permanent concrete base and fiberglass boards instead of wooden boards and the Zachary rink was the second to get a makeover.

The sites are innovative because they can be used year round. During the spring and summer months, the new high quality facilities will be utilized for roller hockey and a number of other recreation programs.

"People seem genuinely excited about using the new' rink," said Plymouth Recreation Supervisor, Daniel Lauer. "Not only is the surface playing area improved, the lighting at the rink has been updated to enhance the rink."

Lauer said that bladers would likely use the rink for roller hockey during the spring, summer and fall.

"We also can provide ball hockey programs [hockey in tennis shoes]," Lauer said.

The surface of the rink is also very compatible for other uses like bike rodeos and skate boarding.

Lauer said the renovations should draw more people to the rink for initial use and once people use the newer facility, the activity at the rink will increase.