Jim Thorpe waives zoning permit fee for ice-skating rink

Jim Thorpe Borough Council unanimously voted Thursday night to grant a zoning permit fee waiver for a group of volunteers installing an ice-skating rink at Sam Miller Field.

Leroy Strohl, president of the Jim Thorpe Community Athletic Association, addressed council Monday night to request the waiver. According to Borough Manager Maureen Sterner, the fees for the zoning permit would have totaled $455.

The 40-by-60-foot expandable rink is assembled, and William Solomon said the group is hoping for a Jan. 17 opening at the earliest.

“I think the rink is a great initiative and something that has been talked about before Jim Thorpe,” Council President Greg Strubinger said on Monday. “There can be a lull in activities at this time of year, and it’ll be great to get our youth out in the fresh air during the winter. We would really like to thank all the volunteers for taking this initiative.”

Sterner said the group will still receive the permit it needs to comply with the zoning ordinance, it just won’t need to pay for it based on council’s waiver.

Initial plans call for the rink to be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but volunteers said if there is interest and the weather cooperates, Monday through Thursday skating is a possibility.

There will be no charge to skate, but donations will be gladly accepted.

“We’re excited,” Strohl told council. “We’re just trying to make Sam Miller Field a more friendly place for the community to enjoy.”