The County has received feedback from residents highlighting the challenges posed by sun and heat at the outdoor ice rink, which limit its usability. During the winter, sunlight can melt sections of the ice, creating unsafe skating conditions. In the summer, the rink becomes excessively hot, reducing its potential for roller skating and other activities. As the County prepares to replace the aging refrigerated floor, this presents an ideal opportunity to reassess the feasibility of adding a shade structure. Such a structure would mitigate these challenges while seamlessly integrating with the new ice rink floor.
The replacement of the refrigerated floor and the potential addition of a shade structure are part of the County's broader efforts to improve the rink’s ice-making systems. The County is also under contract to replace the refrigeration (chiller) plant, which is expected to arrive by the end of spring 2025 and begin producing ice for the 2025–2026 skating season.
Meeting and Survey
The first of three public meetings to discuss the initial conceptual phase of shade structure options for the Los Alamos Ice Rink was held on Thursday Jan. 9, at 5:30 PM, at the Parks and Recreation Board.
Additionally the first of two surveys closed (January 29 at 11:59 p.m.); it collected community input on various aspects of a conceptual shade structure for the Ice Rink to help inform the decision-making process. View the responses.
Survey1 Responses(PDF, 839KB)
The second public meeting is scheduled for March 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at 1000 Central Ave., Los Alamos as part of the Parks & Recreation Board meeting.
Visit the project page for more details.
Project Page