[Vision2020] Ice Rink

[Craine Kit]

A posting on behalf of my mother.

Kit Craine

ICE RINK

It is time to stand back and really consider what is involved in  
Moscow's ice rink disagreement. Many of us agree that the ice rink is  
a great addition to the community—but only in a different location.

The fairgrounds belongs to Latah County—not the City— and should be  
used for the benefit of all of  Latah county's residents. For many  
years the county fair has been used to recognize the achievements of  
the youth from the rural areas, provide an opportunity for city kids  
to share in these activities, and to bring all the county residents  
together in an atmosphere of fun and entertainment. By most  
standards, the fairgrounds was small and crowded but always had the  
mixture of exhibits, rides, and carnival activities which were  
exciting to all ages.

In the last few years, the number of rides appealing to young adults  
has been cut back to accommodate the ice rink at its present size.  
Any expansion of the rink will mean the loss of more rides or  
activities. It is clear the ice rink must expand to survive. If  
expansion is at the fairgrounds, the fun and entertainment of a  
county fair will be squeezed out.

The rural youth and their tax-paying, Moscow-shopping parents   
benefit little from the ice rink but do benefit from the county fair.  
If the City believes the ice rink must not be "lost," it should start  
finding ways to get it off county land and onto recreational space  
the City owns or arranges.

Janet Craine