ICONIC WARINANCO SKATING RINK RENOVATED AND MODERNIZED
Roselle, New Jersey (May 16, 2017) – The Warinanco Park Skating Rink—a familiar landmark for Union County skaters since 1961—underwent an extensive $7 million modernization and renovation that doubled the overall complex space and transform it into a year-round venue for skating and other activities. During this time, the facility stayed closed for open public skating but remained open for high school games and practices.
“Our goal is to provide modernized amenities for skaters while creating a venue that can remain in use year-round for a variety of purposes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Warinanco Park Skating Rink was considered a state-of-the-art facility when it opened in 1961, and we are looking forward to using the updated building, that will restore its prominence.”
The final design incorporates both uses and allows the County flexibility in choosing how it runs the facility. The rink will become known as the Warinanco Sports Center going forward. In the Spring and Summer, once the ice is removed, field turf will be laid on the rink floor and baseball/softball batting cages will be added as well as an infield so as to service a large number of baseball and softball leagues which currently use the park.
Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan is the general contractor, and Netta Architects of Mountainside has designed the new facility. The rink, which is located on the Roselle side of the park, was part of the original plans for the park drawn up in the 1920s. It was finally built and opened as an outdoor facility in October 1961 with much fanfare: the opening program featured group and solo exhibitions from local professional and amateur skaters, a pee wee hockey game, and speed skating. The rate card billed the rink as “The First Public Artificial Ice Skating Rink in Union County.”
Warinanco Park has seen extensive renovations culminating over the past year with the opening of the new athletic turf field and track area on the Roselle side, and a new playground/playground sports area on the Elizabeth side, across from the Boat House. Located in the City of Elizabeth, and the Borough of Roselle, Warinanco Park, which opened in the mid-1920s, comprises 205 acres of developed parkland and was originally designed by the Olmsted Firm.
Brian Hare, Netta Architects Project Manager, “The challenging aspect of this project was to design a new ice rink clubhouse while integrating a year-round recreational use.”
About Netta Architects
Netta Architects is an award-winning architecture, interior design, and planning firm that prides itself on being Different by Design. Our diverse staff embodies the Firm’s Mission and is passionate about creating enduring, sustainable architecture through design innovation and client service in our core markets. For more, visit www.nettaarchitects.com/staging
