Frontline Workers Receive Free Skating Sessions Jan. 30 At Labrie Family Skate

Member news from the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth:

January 25, 2021

DISCLAIMER: This content was not created by, but is being shared by, the Chamber Collaborative on behalf of a member.

PORTSMOUTH—Rink Services Group (RSG), the Exeter-based company that manages the skating rink at Strawbery Banke, is honoring the efforts of frontline workers by inviting them to free skating sessions at Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond on Saturday, January 30, 2021, from 6-7:15 pm and 7:30-9 pm. The private skating sessions are a chance for local police, fire, EMT and medical personnel to skate for free with their families, as a way to thank them for their selflessness in caring for and protecting the community during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. All COVID-19 protocols for skating will be followed.

Preregistration is required and guests are required to show valid employment credentials. Frontline workers can register to attend either session by emailing kayley@rinkservicesgroup.com.

“This past year has challenged all of us,” says Gary Warriner, owner of Rink Services Group. “The medical, emergency and law enforcement professionals have been called upon repeatedly during this pandemic to put their lives in danger as they continue to do their jobs, despite risks to their health and wellbeing. This was one way RSG could thank them for their service; and I’m happy to be able to offer what I hope is a fun and relaxing night of skating outdoors with their families.”

Because RSG manages Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond for Strawbery Banke Museum they receive complimentary ice sessions as a benefit for their continued financial support.

“In the past, we’ve used our private ice time for fundraisers for local nonprofits,” Warriner continued. “This year we felt compelled to use it to thank all of those who have worked so hard to keep our community safe and healthy.”

“For the past seven seasons Rink Services Group has played an integral role in making outdoor ice skating at Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond possible,” said Lawrence J. Yerdon, Strawbery Banke Museum President and CEO. “Strawbery Banke Museum is proud to partner with a company that supports the community and advocates for its frontline and first responders in such a generous way.”

The COVID-19 protocols for skating are consistent with the precautions Strawbery Banke has followed all season: All visitors to the museum are required to maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet from others outside their households at all times, practice frequent hand hygiene/washing, and wear a mask covering the mouth and nose, both on and off the ice. Additionally, the museum has taken extra precautions in terms of cleaning, sanitizing, and ensuring the proper space for physical distancing in rink spaces, which includes increasing the size of the outdoor patio. For information regarding Covid-19 precautions, visit strawberybanke.org/skate.cfm

About Strawbery Banke Museum:

Strawbery Banke Museum, in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, is a 10-acre outdoor history museum dedicated to bringing 300+ years of American history to life. The museum is a place for children, adults, multigenerational families, and groups to gather to explore heritage gardens, historic buildings, crafts, preservation programs, hands-on activities, stories told by costumed roleplayers, and the changing exhibits that offer hours of fun and discovery. The museum’s restored buildings and open space invite visitors to immerse themselves in the past. The Museum welcomes 110,000 visitors, members, schoolchildren, and volunteers who love New Hampshire history for daily programs, exhibits, skating, and signature special events throughout the year. For a complete calendar of events, visit StrawberyBanke.org

This press release was produced by the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth. The views expressed are the author's own.