East Rochester s skating rink a respite from pandemic
By Karen Dandurant
ROCHESTER – Families in East Rochester are enjoying the return of an ice-skating rink that had entertained scores of residents over the years.
“This is wonderful,” said Rochester resident Emilee Spear. “There is almost nothing you can do safely right now with your family. This is perfect.”
The rink was created by the Rochester Recreation and Water Department staff, which flooded the field next to the Nancy Loud School on Cocheco Avenue for a few weeks until it was frozen solid and became an outdoor rink.
The field in the center of the east side of town used to be used as a skating rink for years along with the Common in downtown Rochester, an area outside the Rochester Arena where the YMCA building now stands, and an area in Gonic. It has been years since the city stopped flooding them, with rec employees and local history buffs unsure of the exact years or reasons.