Home Community Community News Get a sneak peek inside the Greenport roller rink at a Veterans...

Get a sneak peek inside the Greenport roller rink at a Veterans Day open house

Fred Schoenstein, left, and Everett "Butch" Corwin, in the second-floor room overlooking the rink floor. Photo; Peter Blasl

After years of laborious restoration efforts, the Greenport roller rink is nearing completion – and residents will have a chance to take a peek inside this weekend.

The American Legion’s Burton Potter Post 185 is holding a free open house this Saturday, giving the public an opportunity to check out the historic skating rink before it opens early next year. (See prior stories here and here.)  

Several of the hard-working volunteers who have been involved in the restoration project will be on hand to answer questions at the event.

The open house, which will be held on Veteran’s Day, will also be a chance for residents to thank a veteran for their service.

Light refreshments will be available and a 50/50 raffle will be held at the event. Military veterans who wish to join the Burton Potter Post 185 will also have an opportunity to get more information and fill out a membership application.

Mindy Ryan, the new general manager of the post, says she has some great plans for the rink.

“We’re hoping to have our soft opening on New Year’s Eve,” she said.  “We just bought 300 pairs of skates from a rink in Port Jeff that went out of business. There’s still lots to do, but we have such potential here.” 

In the future, the rink could host proms, parties and weddings. She also hopes that it will be a place for “kids to hang out and have something to do.”

Volunteers have been working for a “long seven years, but it’s really close to being ready to use,” Ryan said.