Wrigley Field Debuts Ice-Skating Rink Next Week

Chicago - Sure the Cubs were iced out of the postseason, but a new day is dawning at Wrigley Field with new owners and even a new winter sporting season.

On Dec. 15, "The Rink at Wrigley Field" -- the outdoor ice rink just outside the ballpark -- will debut, according to a plan the Chicago Park District is expected to sign off on Wednesday.

Admission to the rink is expected to be $10 for adults and $6 for children, though officials continue to work out those details, along with hours of operation. It wasn't clear if skate rental would be additional.

The rink, which is being installed now in a parking lot adjacent to the ballpark's west side at Clark and Addison, will be open three months, closing Feb. 28, said park district spokesman Jessica Maxey-Faulkner.

The Park District along with Westrec, which operates the other park district ice rinks, are each kicking in $100,000 while another $100,000 in private donations are expected to cover the rink's $300,000 price tag.

A Cubs spokesman said that the Ricketts family, the new owners of the ballclub, will be among those private investors chipping in $100,000 for the rink.

"None of the money from the rink is going to any private source, it's going into the operation of the rink," said Cubs spokesman Mike Lufrano.

"The rink at Wrigley is a great way to bring a fun event to the neighborhood and the city of Chicago," he said. "We're proud to support it and offer the space for it."