HOLDEN — For years an ice rink gave Holden residents a winter opportunity for fun in the cold.
With Eric Johansen leading the effort, it became a town tradition. That tradition was lost, however, during the COVID pandemic of the past few years as well as Johansen’s passing.
This winter, there is again an ice rink, located in front of the Holden Senior Center,
giving people the opportunity to skate, although they have to watch for the balance between being cold enough to freeze it and warm enough to melt the ice.
The recent warmth after the frigid polar vortex has kept ice watchers on their toes.
Two Wachusett Regional High School students helped to spearhead the effort to get the rink back.
“The rink was a part of our childhood, and we have fond memories of winter afternoons skating at the senior
center,” Hailey Larose said. “It was nice to have a small community skating rink that was easily accessible to those living throughout the Wachusett district.”
“I remember coming to the rink with my brother when we were little. There were often different people there learning to skate or playing hockey games. Being in such a centralized location, as well as in front of the senior center, it attracted all sorts of people of all different ages,” EmmaChaya Lipton-Praver said.
“We both remembered skating at a rink in front of the senior center as kids,” Lipton-Praver said. “When we approached the town, we learned that a man named Eric Johansen, who had recently passed away, had built the rink every year. We decided to bring the rink back in order to help support physical activity, mental health, and intergenerational connections within the Wachusett community.
“The two of us were taking an English course last year (20212022) where we were going to be completing a project called ‘Save the World’,” Larose said. “The basis of this project was to look around your community and world, as a whole, and develop an understanding of the problems that are faced by generations and how these problems could be faced and, hopefully, overcome. We were going through a pandemic, and we knew this was a problem, although we knew that we couldn’t solve it right away. Though, one major effect of COVID was the lack of connections in the community, specifically within different generations.”
“The students were very determined,” Angela Greene said. “It was a project they really wanted to do.”
Greene, who worked with the students as Holden’s recreation director, praised the students’ effort taking on the project.
“They sent out a questionnaire and got feedback,” helping find volunteers to work on it, Greene said. “It’s huge they had such dedication for this project.”
Based on responses from people the duo reached out to, she said she expects people will continue to help.
With the project being dedicated to Johansen, or “EJ” as he was known, she expects more help to continue.
But she acknowledges weather has toyed with those who wanted to use it.
“It was a little disheartening because it was so warm,” Greene said. “In the long run it will definitely be a huge asset.”
Patronage started out well after the rink’s installation.
“The first week, it created a huge buzz. Everybody was so excited about it,” Greene said. “People were on it. It created a good feeling in people.”
While it gave people a good feeling while it was frozen, snow turned to water as temperatures rose. The lack of snow meant it did not have to be cleared off, but the melt and freeze cycle created a rocky surface that needs to be maintained, sometimes requiring a new coat of water to freeze to a smooth layer.
“This year is a work in progress,” Greene said. But, she added, “It brought the community together.”
Greene noted the efforts of town departments, including the DPW and Fire Department.
“They have been a huge help in the process; they have gone above and beyond in making it come to life, putting it together and filling it.
“The DPW was out there during the deep cold days after warmer days to work on it and make sure it was safe for when skaters got back get onto the ice,” she said.
The students had involved people from the town and schools.
“We had many people who were able to help us throughout the span of this project,” Larose said, “Angela was extremely excited when we told her about our project and didn’t hesitate to reach out to people right away. Her dedication to the ice skating rink and the community is something that we are immensely grateful for. We also received help from Clayton Johansen.” Clayton is EJ’s son.
“The town was extremely supportive of our idea and helped us get in contact with community members as well as the DPW,” Lipton-Praver said, with English teachers and classmates supporting the effort by brainstorming and helping bounce ideas off each other.
They spent a lot of time getting the dimensions right and researching what types of rink designs would work, Lipton-Praver said.
“Eventually, we decided that if we wanted the rink to be permanent, it would be best to purchase a reusable rink set. It is made of plastic instead of wood and is extremely sturdy. We hope that the community will be able to enjoy the rink in the future as well,” Lipton-Praver said.
It took almost a year and a half to get the rink built, Lipton-Praver said. The weather proved to be a challenge, as it was impossible to put stakes through frozen ground. The stakes are important to securing the rink into the ground so it is stable and holds in the water.
“When we were told about the donation that was made in Mr. Johansen’s name, we were extremely grateful for the support,” Lipton-Praver said.
“It allowed the rink to be built much quicker. Within hours of the ice freezing, the thwack of hockey pucks could be heard. Little kids nearby learned to skate, and despite the cold, people stopped to sit on benches and chat. The rink is one way to bring our community together, and we really appreciate the donation,” Lipton-Praver said.
“We had been kicking around the idea of setting up a rink again for a couple of years, as it had been a regular feature for many years thanks entirely to EJ and his family,” Town Manager Peter Lukes said.
When a corporate donor was suggested, Bobby Jacobson agreed to contribute the entire cost of the rink, a $5,000 donation. Lukes said.
“The rink has been met with incredible enthusiasm by the community. Kids were out there as soon as it froze after we set it up,” Lukes said. ”Unfortunately for skaters, this has been a record warm winter and the rink has remained unfrozen for the most part.
“It is providing another great community resource as a place for kids and families to get together and have some fun. The fact that it’s right on Main Street adds to the charm when folks drive by and see kids and adults enjoying the winter activity,” he added. “Overall, there’s been overwhelming interest and enjoyment reported from residents on social media and in person.”
“We are so happy that the ice rink is up and running,” Lipton-Praver said. “Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen.”
