Happy Valley winters are about to get a little happier. The ice skating rink at Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte will officially open Sunday, January 16. The rink will be closed before then as it undergoes minor adjustments and an additional few inches of water are added. A ribbon-cutting will occur on Tuesday, January 25th.

Hereas everything you need to know to enjoy it!

Hours:
The rink is open daily, weather-permitting, from 11 AM to 8 PM*
Bellefonte Borough will post signage if the rink is closed for any reason.
*Note that bathrooms in the park are open from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Location:
The rink is located near the gazebo in the park. This location was selected by the borough for its proximity to parking, bathrooms, restaurants and shops, and for safety reasons, including lighting, video surveillance and accessibility.

Skates:
Skates are required on the ice and you must bring your own skates. No rentals are available at this time. Rubber mats and benches will be available for changing shoes. (Tip: For used skates, check local thrift stores, Facebook marketplace and used sports equipment retailers online; new skates are available at Dickas, Target and Amazon.)

Safety:
The rink is skate at your own risk. The boards on the outside are 18-inches, not the height of a typical indoor rink. Skating with a buddy is a great idea! Children under 12 should be supervised by a parent or guardian. After some requests, certain days and hours are under consideration for light hockey usage.

While the rink will be subject to winter weather and temperatures, the goal is to offer an activity that attracts resident and visitors to downtown to also enjoy cafes, restaurants and shopping. Local business owner Mark Dello Stritto envisioned the project in 2015 and it gained traction in 2021 when he began discussing it with Bonfattoas owner Dave Letterman. After researching to find an affordable and worthwhile option, the pair approached other business owners to sponsor the purchase of the rink for donation to the borough. Several other businesses are donating services.

Thanks to these sponsors for making the Rink at Talleyrand a reality:
Bellefonte.com
Big Spring Spirits
Blink
Bonfattoas Italian Market & Corner Cafe
Centre Dental Care
The Gamble Mill
Gavek Graphics – In-kind
Helen Foxx & Co.
Kelleher Landscaping – In-kind
Bellefonteas Bed & Breakfasts: Bellefonte B&B; The Craftsman; Our Fair Lady; The Queen; Renoylds Mansion, Riffles & Runs

And the Borough of Bellefonte for the installation and maintenance of the rink.

Special thanks to Garman Construction who was contracted to add a platform for entry/exit onto the rink.