Talks Underway for an Ice Rink in Wayland

A chilly day, snow in the air and an outdoor ice rink within walking distance.

Wayland's Department of Public Works is exploring the possibilty of creating an outdoor ice rink in Wayland during the upcoming ice skating season.

According to an email from Board of Public Works member Michael Wegerbauer to others on the board that recapped an Oct. 17 meeting, the discussions are just underway, but the idea has been "well received" thus far.

The draft minutes from an Oct. 17 meeting state that the Board of Public Works discussed locations and logistics for the rink and voted unanimously to form an ice skating rink committee to continue looking into the matter.

The email recap from Wegerbauer states that "we have funding to create a fairly basic rink with boards and a liner, plus the commitment of the DPW to construct and maintain [the rink]." Possible locations for the rink include: Cochituate Field, Mill Pond (a previous location for a Wayland ice rink), the Wayland High School turf field, the Cow Commons, Oxbow Meadows, the Town Beach parking lot, the WHS tennis court, the Claypit Hill field and the WHS infield.

Each of these locations features its own pros – lights at Cochituate Field and the WHS turf field – and cons – the possibility of thin ice at Mill Pond.

The minutes record that Alton Atamer, a WHS student and hockey player, told committee members that the hockey team would like to inauguarte a Winter Classic game during which Wayland and Weston would play a charity hockey game. He suggested Cochituate Field or the WHS turf field as possible locations due to the lights available at those spots.

In addition to a Winter Classic, discussions of programming included stick time, open skate, event rental, opening day events and a learn-to-skate event.

In addition, Town Counsel Mark Lanza has said the town assumes no liability for use of the rink as long as no fee is charged. Lanza explained via email that even if the town charges a small fee, the liability is limited.