Fort Collins Cuts Old Town Ice Rink Due To Budget

Some traditions just can't last forever. Fort Collins plans to cut the cut the ice rink in Old Town Square due to budgeting issues.

Last year the Old Town ice rink occupied about 7,000 total visitors. However this year the Fort Collins city officials and the Downtown Development Authority has made the decision to cut the Ice Rink for this holiday season.

There will still be plenty of other traditions that will still make it this year including the lights that brighten up Old Town all along College Avenue, Mountain Avenue as well as the Old Town Square.

The ice rink has been a popular destination since it started in 2005, however the $40,000 annual cost of putting it up was restrictive on the DDA's budget this year.

Many businesses in the Old Town Square area were unhappy to find out that the rink would not be put up this year as it is a good source of business for them.“On a Saturday in December when it was 50 degrees outside or even 40, it was packed, just packed,” he said. “I understand the money side of it, but I’m really disappointed.” said Lee Swanson, owner of Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop.

[Coloradoan]