GLADSTONE -- Budget shortfalls may have nearly sidelined the opening of the Gladstone ice rink, but now that it's underway, there's still one minor problem: the heavy snow over the weekend and Monday halted flooding of the rink and delayed the expected opening date, which was Tuesday.
The mix of snow and water from the hose would have caused a slushy surface that is unfit for the smooth surface needed to ice skate on, but the ice rink is now nearly completed, with already three inches of frozen water and two more layers to go.
"I really don't want to have to cut anything in the City of Gladstone," said Darla Falcon, Gladstone City Manager. "I drove by on Sunday. My kids saw the ice rink being made, and I said the ice rink's not ready yet, boys. Be patient. Hopefully by this weekend we can come down and try out our skates as well."
Falcon said that there's still not a set opening date, but the rink could be open to the public as soon as this week, if the weather permits.