Loss of a key engineer at canopy manufacturer leaves the city without required safety approval
By Damian Mann for Ashland.news
In a worst-case scenario, the popular Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink might not open this season.
Ongoing issues with the manufacturer of the large white canopy that covers the rink have already delayed the previously scheduled Nov. 21 opening.
If issues can be ironed out soon, the rink could potentially open by Dec. 20 in a best-case scenario.
Ashland Parks & Recreation has attempted to save $100,000 a year by allowing the canopy to remain over the ice rink and parking area year-round.
However, permits were required along with a sign-off from a structural engineer to keep the canopy up permanently, according to comments by Rocky Houston, director of Parks & Recreation, at an Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission meeting Wednesday night.
The manufacturer, which is having financial issues, laid off a structural engineer needed for the sign-off, Houston said.
“We panicked,” he said. “They agreed to try to bring that engineer back on a limited basis.”
He said he would learn by next week if the engineer will be available.
The engineer is needed to sign off to help indemnify the city in case “something bad happens,” Houston said.
“We don’t want the snow to cave it in and hurt somebody,” he said.
If the engineer is unavailable, Houston said another structural engineer would be sought, which might take until mid-January, leaving little time to reopen the facility.
In prior years, the canopy was taken down at the end of the season and then reinstalled in the fall. This caused wear and tear on the canopy itself and resulted in significant expense.
Typically, air temperatures of less than 53 degrees are ideal for the ice rink. By late February, temperatures have risen enough that it becomes more and more difficult to keep the rink ice solid.
In prior years, a construction crew from Portland came down to erect the aluminum beams and reinstall the canopy.
The decision to leave the canopy up prompted the need for a permit from the Community Development Department, which required updated structural calculations to meet current building codes.
The parks department started the permitting process in February, but it has been beset by various setbacks.
Houston said another possibility is to take the structure down and then to reinstall it, a process that would take about 30 days and result in $100,000 in expenses.
However, that expensive option would push the opening into January. Typically the rink closes after Presidents Day, Feb. 16, depending on weather.
Full attendance numbers are difficult to calculate since the ice rink features times for free skating for those who bring their own skates. Also, there are parents who don’t skate but watch their kids. The attendance numbers that are available have shown a decline in recent years at the ice rink
In the 2021-22 season, the rink saw about 21,021 visitors.
But in 2022-23, the estimated visitor count dropped to 15,863, and in 2023-24, it fell to 14,778.
After the end of last season, the ice rink received a new chiller to replace aging equipment in danger of failing.
Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at dmannnews@gmail.com.
Related stories:
Permitting snag delays Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink opening (Nov. 21, 2025)
City’s ice rink to get important updates in coming season (Sept. 18, 2024)
Aging Ashland ice rink infrastructure may have to be replaced, commissioners told (May 2, 2024)
Ice rink issues, parking on Winburn Way through Lithia Park top APRC special meeting agenda Wednesday (May 1, 2024)
