Many outdoor ice rinks around the city of Minneapolis may be closing.

It’s part of the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board’s latest budget, which calls for getting rid of three rinks this season and one next winter.

“My childhood memories are here,” said Joe Dziedzic, who grew up near Windom Park and had a successful career in hockey.

Dziedzic learned to skate at Windom Park in Minneapolis before becoming a star hockey player at the University of Minnesota, then in the NHL and now a high school coach in town.

“I have a lot of good memories of being here and playing hockey,” Dziedzic said.

Now, the rinks at Windom Park, Powderhorn Park and Webber Natural Swimming Pool may close this season; The rink at Lyndale Farmstead Park may close next winter.

In an update later Friday, the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board said they would restore public skating and a hockey rink at Windom Park for the 2024/25 season.

The board added that the Powderhorn and Webber rinks will remain closed next season and the ice rinks will be considered with plans for three additional closures for the 2025/26 season.

“We have to strive for it, fight for it and protect it as much as we can,” Dziedzic said.

The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board says they face a $1.5 million shortfall in their budget but calls current recommendations “fluid.” Mayor Jacob Frey proposed a smaller budget increase than requested for the Park Board.

“I think my community is upset about the lack of data on why we are doing this,” said Park Board Commissioner Billy Menz.

The Park Board of Directors blames hot weather as one of the reasons why four of the 22 outdoor rinks are closed. This follows a mild winter last year that allowed just one week of outdoor ice skating across the city.

“I know there’s another ice rink out there that won’t have as big an impact,” Menz said.

Menz hinted at a possible change to the recommendations on Wednesday.

“I talked to the superintendent and I think there might be a direction forward,” Menz said.

Dziedzic hopes it’s only a matter of time before kids lace up their skates on the ice again at Windom Park soon.

“I know it is expensive to maintain the park and keep the track running, but I think it is worth it,” Dziedzic said.

The final budget will be approved on December 10.