Local News

Permanent ice rink gives Steubenville a new, long-awaited, winter activity

STEUBENVILLE -- The city of Steubenville finally received a long-awaited winter activity fixture on Friday, with the grand opening of the Rink at Franciscan Square.

Individuals with the Franciscan University of Steubenville, area officials and sponsors of the permanent ice-skating rink offered expressions of excitement regarding the facility's potential for the Steubenville area, right before a ribbon-cutting ceremony invited the first skaters to hit the ice.

Peter Herrmann, the rink's operations manager, said the facility will be open through February on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. The rink will be open only for private events and birthday parties on Mondays and Tuesdays, for which individuals can make a reservation by contacting the rink's Facebook page or calling (740) 275-8466.

The rink will offer skate rentals from youth size eight to adult size 13, Herrmann said, and rentals are $5, though individuals can bring their own skates for free -- the rink offers skate sharpening for those who need it. Admission costs $7 for those younger than 18 and $8 for those 18 and above. Kids 3 and under get in for free.

The permanent rink comes three years after the university constructed a temporary ice rink in the same location, desiring to provide an outdoor activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Tim Delaney, executive director of alumni and constituent relations.

"We (the university) began to think ... "Is this something we could look at as a more permanent addition to the square and for the community?'"

Discussions about a permanent rink progressed and the university was awarded a grant for the project from the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation, Delaney said. That combined with a title sponsorship from Trinity Health System to make the dream a reality.

Matt Grimshaw, president and CEO of Trinity Health System, said the permanent rink will fill the Steubenville area's need for a winter activity. Furthermore, the rink will solidify the square as a strategic hub of activity for the whole Ohio Valley region.

The rink itself is flanked by the future site of a Jimmy John's sandwich shop, which will replace Brooklyn Bagel in early 2024, and a new Irish pub, the Harp and the Habit, which will fill the former Bennigan's Steubenville building. The latter restaurant will be serving concessions for the rink until its official opening.

With Trinity having roots as a spiritually Catholic-Franciscan hospital, Grimshaw reflected on Trinity's shared core values with the university, "truly living out our faith in the marketplace (and) taking our faith into the real world and community in relationship together."

Kate Sedgmer, president of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, said the rink will be a great asset to the region and challenged local businesses to take part in the activity blossoming out of the square. She noted the presence of multiple chamber members at the grand opening and on the rink's sponsor list.

"We would like to thank, on behalf of the entire business community, Franciscan for their dedication to our community, not just their students," Sedgmer said. "Your dedication to our community speaks to fostering a sense of community and collaboration across our entire community and our region as a whole, and we're grateful for that."

Tom Gentile, president of the university's Community Relations Board, said the developments at the square have "transformed this whole end of Steubenville," making it a welcoming presence. He extended feelings of gratitude on behalf of the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, the university president, who was unable to attend.

Joe Wallace, the university's director of community relations and head basketball coach, mentioned how he grew up in the Ohio Valley. From that standpoint, Wallace said, "It means so much … to see how the university and the community are kind of seamless right now.

"The sun doesn't always shine in the Ohio Valley, but the people do," Wallace said, referencing the rainy weather outside at the time and a quote by former President John F. Kennedy.

The Rev. Jonathan St. Andre, TOR, vice president of Franciscan life, said the rink's addition is particularly appropriate in light of Franciscan spirituality, with St. Francis of Assisi being a strong advocate of communal play.

"On the ice, most people are equal ... grabbing onto each other (and) helping each other," St. Andre said. "You're vulnerable, and that's part of play, and that's how you grow. ... This rink will make us closer ... and will allow us to come together and support each other as one community. Not the university on the hill and Steubenville the town, but one community together, focused on the things that are important: Our faith, our families and being the best we can be."

Separately, Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla said he is excited about the permanent fixture, which will fill a need for winter activities in the area. Barilla recalled how the city's fire department used to flood the infield of a Belleview Park baseball field to create an ice rink in the past, but the area hasn't seen any ice rinks since, with the exception of the university's temporary rink and other temporary rinks that have been brought in for a few days for special events.

"The university is, needless to say, a major factor in the city of Steubenville," Barilla said. "I don't know where we would be without them."

Peter Herrmann, a Steubenville native, said the permanent rink is a much-needed communal activity for the area.

"This rink offers something for families, for kids (and) for sports teams. It serves a wide variety of people, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Gianna Rook was the first person to hit the ice. A member of Catholic Central High School's Class of 2027, Rook said she goes with her family to Pittsburgh to skate at the rink at PPG Place each year.

Rook said of the new rink: "It's so much fun. I've been waiting ever since the temporary one. I just wanted one to be here forever."