Wollman Rink, a well-loved public ice rink in the southern part of Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, is set to become the city's biggest pickleball destination. It is one of the notable buildings and structures of Central Park.
Wollman Rink in Central Park. Source: Wikipedia
The History of Wollman Rink
Named after the Wollman family, who provided the funds for its original construction, Wollman Rink opened in 1950, following a proposal four years earlier. Kate Wollman donated $600,000 for the rink's construction to commemorate her family. She is the great-aunt of Henry and Richard Bloch, co-founders of H&R Block.
The rink is open for ice skating from late October to early April. Until 1980, the rink was the venue for annual summer rock, pop, country, and jazz concerts. Initially the "Wollman Theater" or "Wollman Skating Rink Theater" had 4,400 seats; bleachers were added in 1972 to increase the capacity to 8,000. From 1966 to 1980, music festivals consisting of 30 to 50 concerts each were held at the rink. The festivals were named after their main sponsors, Rheingold Beer in 1966 and 1967, F. & M.
Wollman Rink has been featured in several films, including Love Story (1970), Carnal Knowledge (1971), The Devil's Own (1997), Serendipity (2001), Night at the Museum (2006), Limitless (2011).
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Renovations and Management
The rink had to be closed in the winter of 1980 when its concrete floor buckled; at that time, the renovation was estimated to cost up to $4.9 million and take two years. The rink was closed for renovations in late 1980 and reopened in November 1986. When the rink reopened in November 1986, ticket prices were raised from $2.50 to $4.50, and attendance was up from 130,000 in 1980 to 250,000 in 1987.
In January 2021, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city government would be severing all contracts with the Trump Organization, citing Trump's involvement in the previous week's storming of the United States Capitol. Wollman Rink Operations LLC won another concession in 2001 to operate the rinks until April 30, 2021.
Wollman Park Partners, a joint venture between Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Related Companies and Equinox, signed a five-year contract to operate the rink in July 2021.
Pickleball Takes Over Wollman Rink
America's fastest-growing sport has invaded blacktops in the West Village and Hell's Kitchen during the last year. Now, enthusiasts are in for a big treat this summer: Central Park's Wollman Rink will become the city's biggest pickleball destination.
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A pickleball match in progress. Source: si.com
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CityPickle, the first indoor pickleball club in the city, announced they'll take over Wollman Rink from April 7 to Oct. 9 every day. “Thanks to our partnership with Wollman Park Partners, we are thrilled to offer 196 hours of pickleball play each day in New York’s most iconic destination right in the center of Central Park,” CityPickle co-founder Erica Desai said in a statement.
There will be lessons, clinics, open play, leagues, tournaments and opportunities for beginners and advanced players to learn the ropes of pickleball, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. You can book it for a septuagenarian's birthday party or your office's team-building exercise.
Accessibility and Community Engagement
In a statement, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue says pickleball took off in the city during the pandemic, and its popularity continues to grow because of its low bar of entry. "It’s a fun, fast-paced sport that’s easy to pick up and accessible for players of all ages and abilities," she said. "We’re thrilled to see pickleball coming to Central Park’s Wollman Rink, a highly visible and well-loved space that is a destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike.”
There will be partnerships with various local organizations including the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the Boys Club of New York, YMCA of Greater New York, Solutions Now and Fountain House.
Details for Players
Renting a full court costs between $80-$120 per hour, depending on peak times. Each individual game lasts about 10-15 minutes, providing opportunities to rotate players and teams.
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CityPickle is also launching their first permanent pickleball location later this spring in Long Island City. They previously hosted seasonal courts at Hudson Yards and TWA Hotel last fall.
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