It’s the end of an era in Clayton as the community said goodbye to a place that’s been bringing them joy for generations.
Thousands gathered Friday at Shaw Park Ice Rink to help send of the rink in style. The celebration to make a few more memories at the 55-year-old complex will continue through Sunday with snacks, games, giveaways and free skate rental to commemorate the final season of the Shaw Park Ice Rink.
Hot chocolate and a photo booth will be given out each day, while patrons will wrap up Friday with a bonfire, coloring table and crafts and a live DJ from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The activities continue Saturday with on-ice games and free group skating lessons from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The on-ice games continue Sunday followed by a curling demo from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The final public skate of the season will be held on Sunday, February 25.
Clayton plans to demolish its Shaw Park Ice Rink building and the park’s tennis center structure and construct a new $7.5 million ice rink and multi-use facility.
In its place, the city will build a new 25,000-square-foot ice rink and rink deck to replace its existing outdoor winter rink. The new rink could then be converted to turf for other sports and events during warm months.