Such an ice treat at Tarken

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The timing was odd, to say the least.
After a year of renovations, the city Department of Recreation last week held a grand reopening for the Tarken Ice Rink.
The rink reopened as scheduled the day after Thanksgiving and closed for the season on Sunday. The celebration took place on Feb. 28, four days before the season finale.
The delay can be attributed to difficulty by city dignitaries to find time in their busy schedules.
While the facility will be closed to the public through November, the Tarken Recreation Center staff wants the community to know there’s a state-of-the-art ice skating rink in Oxford Circle.
"Tell your friends we’re open for business," said recreation leader John Giargiari. "And, we’ll be open for many years to come."
The Tarken Ice Rink opened in 1964. The rink was closed from 1989-91 when it underwent a $1 million renovation that resulted in new lighting, sound, refrigeration and ice surface.
By the time the winter season ended in March 2005, there were leaks in underground pipes that prevented the ice from staying hard. Patching the leaks wasn’t good enough.
So, the city decided to invest $1 million in upgrades to the underground piping and refrigeration system and new glass, boards, bench area for hockey players and concrete around the perimeter of the rink.
But, the price tag was $1.4. City Councilwoman Marian Tasco (D-9th dist.) agreed to provide the final $400,000 from her capital budget.
In addition, the Torresdale Boys Club donated an extra scoreboard it had in its clubhouse.
Last week, Tasco joined Mayor John Street, Managing Director Pedro Ramos and Department of Recreation Commissioner Victor Richard to cut the ribbon opening the rink to the public and others who rent the place.
There are five city-run ice rinks in Philadelphia. Besides Tarken, located at Frontenac and Robbins streets, the others are in Juniata, West Oak Lane, South Philadelphia and West Philadelphia.
Street believes one of government’s responsibilities is to provide safe, constructive activities for young people. He credited recreation department workers with providing such a setting.
Skating rinks, he said, offer both social and recreational opportunities.
"They really are a beacon of light," he said.
Tasco’s challenge of spending her capital budget is made more difficult because two of the five rinks are in her district. In addition to Tarken, her district, which includes much of Northwest Philadelphia and a small portion of the Northeast, is home to the rink at Simons Recreation Center in West Oak Lane.
Still, the councilwoman understands that aging recreation facilities endure a lot of wear and tear that require costly renovations. It’s worth the investment, in her opinion.
"It’s important that we support recreation centers to give young people a place to go," said Tasco, who urged the kids in attendance to take good care of the rink.
During the season, Tarken is open to the public on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. There are special schedules on holidays and when schools are closed during the Christmas break.
The fees are reasonable. Adults pay $4. Children and senior citizens pay $2. Skate rental is another $2. Those who own skates can have them sharpened for $3.
The rink offers skating lessons and is rented by the Father Judge High School hockey team and two church groups. It hosts some after-school programs, invites senior citizens to skate in the mornings and is home to a 14-and-under hockey league.
In the warm weather months, the facility is used for indoor soccer, basketball and Gaelic football.
Giargiari, who replaced George Kitchell as recreation leader at Tarken in February 2006, is glad the general public knows the rink is open because of false rumors that it would stay closed.
In his view, the ice surface is as good as those at the Wachovia Center and Spectrum.
"They really did a nice job," he said.
Stuart Greenberg grew up on Elbridge Street and was at Tarken when it was dedicated in 1964. He was a teenager then.
Now, he’s the manager for the recreation department’s District 1 and oversees Tarken. He’s proud of the rink.
"It’s a first-class facility," he said. "It’s the finest ice in the city." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com