Ellenberger Park not opening this year

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An event Thursday morning in Indianapolis marks sure signs of both the changing seasons and the still sour economy.

At 10 a.m., Perry Park will start pouring water for its ice rink. Skating will start September 26th. That's welcome news for south side skaters, but it leaves many on the east side disappointed.

The city says the Ellenberger Park rink is far too expensive to run, so it is not opening this year.  “We really cannot afford to continue to use taxpayers dollars to support a system in which we lose several hundred thousand dollars a year to operate,” said Paula Freund, Indy Parks. “It's a bit of a drive, but they are always welcome. We do have some people that come down from that area anyway, but we do hope to see some increase in tickets, yes,” said Allen Wente, Perry Park Manager.

Perry Park could see even more skaters, if another venue closes as many people expect. The Indiana World Skating Academy has two rinks at Pan Am Plaza downtown, but those are likely to close when developers decide to start new construction there.