Bettendorf is preparing to gamble on the weather this winter, and the interest of local winter sports enthusiasts, and set up an outdoor ice rink. Monday night the city council unanimously approved spending up to $250,000 to open a rink in Middle Park.
City Administrator Decker Ploehn says the city will buy the equipment used in recent years for a skating rink at Bass Street Landing in downtown Moline, and set it up on space now used for parking near 23rd Street and Middle Road.
It could open by Thanksgiving, and will probably stay open through late February.
"We're told that sunlight is the major factor, but as long as temperatures are winter temperatures, we should be able to make it function."
Ploehn says the owner of the Moline rink, local developer Rodney Blackwell, has offered to sell it to Bettendorf for $75,000, including a Zamboni. The rest of the money will pay for additional equipment and setting up and operating the rink.
This project results from a desire by aldermen for the city to hold more winter events and festivals.
