SOUTH BEND  — There are some major improvements in the works to the skating rink at Howard Park. Officials want to completely replace the old rink with a new one with more modern amenities. They say that will make the rink more accessible to the community.

The project could cost more than a million dollars, but by replacing the rink and adding things like modern lights and dashboards along the side, it could make it useable for hockey.

The skating rink has been at Howard Park for nearly 60 years. It’s an old rink and its age means it can’t be used for much more than recreational skating.

“We want to try to broaden the scope of what the rink serves in terms of the community, and we think between recreational skating and hockey, we can bring more people to the park and give more people the opportunity to enjoy what’s going to be a real nice ice rink,” said Phil St. Clair with the Parks Department.

Depending on what the final renovations at Howard Park look like, it could mean more of those games and tournaments come here to South Bend.

“We’re lucky to be in the situation we’re in here in South Bend. We have a work together atmosphere and not really a competition because we are all in this together,” said Klute.

The rink will still be open this year.

Officials want to start tearing down the old rink starting next spring and have everything ready to go by the fall.

Source: WSBT