https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzN3xGz3IbU&feature=youtu.be
Just because ice skating season is over, it doesn't mean all is quiet at Canalside. Events for the spring are currently in the works by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, which includes plans for horse-drawn carriage rides for Easter.ECHDC President Thomas Dee said workers recently began preparing the site’s pavilion for the change of season.
“We need about six weeks now to tear the ice apart, got to take the dasher boards out, let the water melt, get the ice out of here, get the water off the slab, clean things up, take the dasher boards down, take the railings down, and get it ready for water, then fill it with water,” said Dee. “So probably early May is when we’d be looking to turn things back.”
Dee said he was happy with how the recently-concluded ice skating season went. The rink drew a record 70,000 skaters this winter.
“We did some nice new things, we put the warming tent in, we put the pavilion in, we had better programming and the ice was in spectacular shape when it wasn’t 60 degrees,” said Dee. “It’s always sad when it’s time to close it up, but that’s okay too because we’ll be moving on to another great season as we approach the better weather.”
Dee says he hopes to collaborate with the Buffalo Sabres for the NHL Draft in June to encourage tourists to enjoy Canalside’s summer activities.
