Skaters had a hot time Tuesday at Portage’s latest hot spot, the new Fire & Ice Rink. It’s the city’s first public ice rink.

The rink at the open-air pavilion, 6090 U.S.12, is just outside the entrance to Indiana Dunes National Park’s Portage Lakefront Park and Riverwalk. It’s open through mid-January.

Rink manager Chad Franks said the rink is closing in January because the rink is on a 60-day lease. If it proves popular this year, the contract could be extended next year.

“We had about 90 people over the weekend” for the rink’s soft opening, Franks said at Tuesday’s grand opening. “Lots of smiles, lots of people having a good time,” he said.

“I’m so thrilled to see so many people here,” Franks said. “We spent all this time and energy on this project. It takes all the stress and panic I’ve had over the weeks and made it all worthwhile. “

Chris Wadkins, of Portage, is happy to see the rink open. “This is one of my favorite spaces in Portage. Just the openness, being able to be outside but inside with the tarps and stuff,” she said.

Manager Chad Franks cuts the ribbon for Portage’s new Fire & Ice Rink on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Doug Ross/for Post-Tribune)

“I do think this skating rink is something we needed,” especially with teens in the family, she said. The rink keeps kids away from video games for a while.

“There’s no time to be bored because there’s always something to do around here,” Wadkins said, especially with so many activities in the parks.

Her daughters Macie and Madison went out for a spin – literally, in Madison’s case – on the ice.

“I taught myself how to spin on ice skates,” Madison said, before demonstrating her new skill. “I get really dizzy, but it’s still fun. I like to do it.”

Macie said they have been roller skating around the two metal poles in their basement before being able to strap on ice skates. “I like having it so close so we don’t have to go all the way to Valpo,” she said.

Macie and Madison Wadkins pause for a portrait while enjoying Portage’s first public ice rink during its grand opening on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Doug Ross/for Post-Tribune)

Macie didn’t need them but pushed around a stack of five-gallon plastic buckets that new skaters can use for stability until the trainers, similar to walkers, arrive.

The rink doesn’t have a Zamboni machine to groom the ice. Instead, workers shovel the shaved ice resembling snow off the rink at the end of the night and pour water on the ice to freeze overnight. Then someone repeats the process midday to get the ice ready, Franks said.

Jasmine Nelson, of Ogden Dunes, had two of her children on the ice Tuesday. Daughter Audrey Nelson was on the rink Sunday as well as Tuesday. “I’ve done it a couple of years in a row, but I’m not very good,” she said. As of Tuesday afternoon, she had fallen on Portage’s rink about three times, she said.

Ice skating is a good opportunity to hang out with friends. “I think it’s a good experience,” she said.

“There’s a whole group of friends who are excited about this,” Jasmine said.

“This is my son’s first job,” the proud mom added. That would be Oliver Nelson, 16, poised on the ice to help any skaters who needed assistance. “He actually caught on to skating pretty quickly,” she said.

Mayor Austin Bonta said the rink offers families an affordable place to skate, including renting skates. Admission and skate rental are each $5. It’s a cashless venue, so pay by phone or card.

To warm up, skaters and spectators can gather around the fire pit on the east side of the pavilion or under a propane-fueled patio heater. “The fire pit will get more and more popular as it gets colder and colder,” Bonta predicted.

A toasty fire is on the east side of Portage’s new Fire & Ice Rink, offering skaters and spectators a place to warm up. The rink opened Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Doug Ross/for Post-Tribune)

“We will have hand warmers available as well,” Franks said. The rink also offers basic concessions, including hot chocolate, popcorn and candy.

Nov. 21, the rink’s first unofficial day, was for city employees and their families. Many of the people who tried the rink before its official opening Tuesday were at the open-air pavilion for the first time. Some didn’t even know the building existed, Bonta said. He hopes the underutilized building will gain more use for other events now.

“The park department is so excited to provide this to our community! We look forward to the memories this will provide and to continuing growth for our city,” Park Superintendent Kelly Smith said.

Skating hours are 1-8 p.m. Sunday, 4-8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. The rink is closed Mondays. Holiday hours may vary.

The Wadkins clan will make good use of it. “I have a feeling they’re going to be asking Santa for skates for Christmas,” Chris Wadkins said.

Don’t expect to see Franks in skates, though. “I am only on the ice if I have to deal with a situation.”

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/27/portages-first-ice-rink-is-now-open-at-pavilion-on-u-s-12/