(La Porte, IN) - Funds are being raised for an iceless ice skating rink in La Porte. Bethany Lutheran Church is out to raise $35,000 in 35 days.

Those funds, along with a $35,000 grant already obtained, would pay for the iceless ice skating rink at LaPark, which is across the street from the church on G Street just south of Lincolnway.

Church member Carrie Garwood said the rink with a synthetic ice-like surface is needed because Old Man Winter doesn't turn water into ice as consistently as he did in the past. She said water in places like lakes used to freeze years ago in November and remained frozen leading up to spring, but that's often no longer the case. 

“They’re a plastic panel but engineered so the surface mimics real ice. Hockey players, figure skaters have tried this out and said nothing replaces real ice for that feel of a professional but they said this is as close as it gets,” she said.

The iceless ice rink would add to a vastly improved park already featuring a splash pad during the summer and numerous pieces of playground equipment.