Permitting delays and engineering requirements preventing opening of the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink this winter; officials say approvals should be in place for next season
By Damian Mann for Ashland.news
A barrier that encircled the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink was taken down this week, closing the curtain on a failed effort to open it for the winter season.
Ashland Parks & Recreation Department officials Wednesday told the Ashland Parks Commission at its business meeting that permits are almost lined up that will allow it to open next season.
Commissioner Rick Landt, echoing the feeling of many in the community, questioned whether the ice rink would open this season.
Kevin Caldwell, parks division manager, responded, “Staff is dismantling the rink now.”
He said the rink should have permits and engineering documents completed well before its scheduled reopening next winter season.
In February 2025, the parks department decided to change the white canopy covering the rink from a temporary structure to a permanent one to save about $50,000 in costs for taking it down and reinstalling it every year.
A series of snafus with the permitting process could not be resolved in time to open the rink for Thanksgiving.
Caldwell, filling in for Parks Acting Director Rachel Dials, said most of the permit process has been completed, allowing the canopy to remain up year-round.
The city will purchase a “snow kit” that will provide cabling to strengthen the canopy structure to withstand heavy snow loads, required to meet building safety standards for a permanent structure.
Caldwell said the cost for the kit, which includes installation by Virginia-based XFS Global LLC, will be $12,100 plus shipping.
A separate analysis of the footings that support the canopy structure is also underway, Caldwell said.
He said the parks department will also be able to get a temporary permit to use the ice rink as a parking area starting sometime in April, after the potential for heavy snow has passed.
Prior to the meeting, the Parks Commission met in executive session to discuss the possible dismissal of an employee, which is widely believed to be about the fate of parks Director Rocky Houston, who has been on leave for more than a month.
“We met in executive session and we will not be taking action at this time,” announced Jim Bachman, chair of the Parks Commission, at the outset of the parks meeting.
This was the second executive session that is believed to be about Houston.
Bachman referred to Rachel Dials as “Acting Parks Director” later in the public meeting.
In other business, the Parks Commission voted to approve Bachman as chair again this year, and Mike Gardiner as vice chair.
During the meeting, the commission made headway on resolving a much-discussed walkway on Winburn Way, but wanted more analysis of disability access to the Japanese Gardens.
The commission unanimously approved creating a pedestrian walkway in the roadway, but without a center line stripe for vehicles.
Across the street from the proposed disability parking area, the commissioners agreed to move the walkway, which would also allow for dogs, onto a short decomposed granite path. This would allow more space in the roadway to accommodate vehicles and the disability parking area.
Commissioners asked staff to design a better disability path from the roadway up to the gardens that would take into account the park’s aesthetics and avoid damage to trees, particularly a magnolia near the gardens.
Commissioner Landt voiced concern about the two disability parking spaces being located next to a curb. “Maybe we don’t even have the curb there,” he suggested, expressing hope that it could be at the same level as the road.
Commissioner Dan Weiner said he would like to see a better design for the ramp leading up to the gardens.
“We shouldn’t be shooting for the lowest bar, we should be looking for the highest bar,” he said.
He said the disability ramp should provide the highest level of access and suggested incorporating it into the existing 6-foot-wide pedestrian walkway leading up to the garden.
Commissioner Mike Gardiner suggested a longer trail with a more gentle slope.
The commission suggested parks staff hire a landscape consultant to redesign the existing path to improve the grade.
Parks previously presented a disability path that would go in a northerly direction toward the gardens. Staff will now also consider a disability path that heads southerly to connect above the stairs of the existing pedestrian walkway.
Caldwell told commissioners that about $350,000 was available in the budget to upgrade Winburn Way.
The commission also received an update on the nine-hole Oak Knoll Golf Course, which sustained significant damage from high winds to the driving range on Nov. 5, 2025.
The winds blew down all 35 poles supporting the driving range netting, which has been closed ever since and will remain closed until sometime this fall.
The damage is estimated to be $272,222.90, with insurance covering $163,727.70, Caldwell said.
He said there is no opening date yet, but design work for the new and upgraded netting and poles is expected to cost $41,000.
Bids are expected to be received by summer, with construction starting in the fall.
Caldwell said revenues will take a hit this year because the driving range is out of service.
He said the restaurant and the irrigation system, built in the 1970s, both require improvements in the future.
Caldwell, parks division manager, said golf course revenues are up 28% from 2024 to 2025.
In 2025, the parks department received $362,600.33 in revenues and $283,698.62 in 2024.
“We are far exceeding where we were last year (2024),” he said.
The increases were driven by higher golf fees and increased attendance. Rounds of golf in 2025 were 13,315 compared to 11,343 in 2024, Caldwell said.
“It’s not the sleepy golf course that everybody thinks it is,” he said.
Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at dmannnews@gmail.com.
Related stories:
Dragons on ice: Helman students spend the morning at Medford’s ice rink due to Ashland closure (Jan. 8, 2025)
Ashland ice rink canopy needs further reinforcement (Jan. 8, 2025)
Ashland parks commission to review ice rink closure, Winburn Way safety project during Wednesday study session (Jan. 5, 2025)
Silence from city fuels uncertainty over Ashland Parks & Rec director’s future (Dec. 19, 2025)
Parks & Rec: Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink won’t open this season (Dec. 11, 2025)
Ashland ice rink might not open this season (Dec. 4, 2025)
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)
