Rome may not have been built in a day, but the new ice skating rink in Depot Park was. The Clarkston Optimist Club along with community volunteers teamed up Jan. 24 to build the new family rink.
‘It made me feel real good,? said Tom Middleton, Optimist treasurer, and project manager.
Middleton said the club was approached by Clarkston resident Ginny Shultz to do the project.
‘I had a couple Optimist members talk to me a few weeks ago about putting in an ice rink maybe over in Clintonwood Park, when Ginny came to do one in Depot Park it fit right in,? he said. ‘We had to act fast because we’re already part way through a winter we haven’t had yet. Just in case winter set in we wanted to have it ready.?
Workers began at 10 a.m. and finished around 5:30 p.m.
Frank Schoebel, a volunteer not with the club said the spirit of the men and women who put the project together is what attracted him and his wife to the community.
‘I think it’s one more thing we can do to make this more of a community and enhance why we live here,? he said. ‘We can use this as another example of community oriented projects and volunteerism at its best.?
Other Optimist members on the project included Ken Ermer, Bill Cox, and Mike Walkowski. Other volunteers included John Meyland and the Independence Township Fire Department, who helped pump water from the Mill Run.
Optimist President Mark Schroeder thanked all those involved.
‘Special thanks to Tom Middleton for organizing the construction of the rink and special thanks to people who have contributed to the Optimist Club,? Schroeder said.