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The $82,000 machine will be used at Ice-A-Rama at Coal Street Park, which is set to open in early fall.

WILKES-BARRE – The city is buying a Zamboni to care for the ice at the new Ice-A-Rama rink at Coal Street Park. The machine will cost about $82,000, but city officials say it’s a necessary purchase.
“An ice resurfacing machine, commonly referred to as a Zamboni, will be necessary to clean the ice at Coal Street Park’s new ice rink,” said Bridget Giunta, the city’s administrative coordinator.
The new facility will open in early fall, according to Mayor Tom Leighton. It will be open to the public and also serve as the practice facility for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Coal Street Park is nearing completion of a near $14 million renovation project. The city will hire a company to operate the Ice-A-Rama. Five bidders are awaiting word on which will be selected for the contract. The five bidders are: Rink Management Services Corporation, Mechanicsville, VA; American Skating Entertainment Centers, Phoenix, AZ; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Plains Township; Global Ice Cap Rink Management, Exton, PA; Rink Management Solutions, North Haven, CT.
Leighton said the park renovation project has removed blight and slum from the area and returned a quality recreational complex to the region.
The project was designed by Highland Associates of Clarks Summit and construction manager is Premium Builders of Wilkes-Barre.
The new two-story building at Coal Street will contain 40,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The Penguins offices will be housed in the building.
The operations company will be responsible only for the management of the Ice-A-Rama, and will include management of the ice skating rink, party rooms, locker rooms, merchandise outlet, concession area, common/lobby areas, offices associated with the skating facility and storage and maintenance rooms.
The Coal Street renovation project also calls for new playground equipment, new tennis and basketball courts and improved lighting and parking.