NYC backs off plan to close Trump-owned ice rinks



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The city is doing a full “180” on its plan to close the skating rinks operated by Trump.

City hall on Sunday overturned Mayor de Blasio’s decision to close the Lasker and Wollman rinks in Central Park six weeks ahead of their usual April closing dates – in a bid to freeze his political rival.

“The kids in New York City deserve all the time they can have on the ice this year. The Wollman and Lasker rinks will remain open under current management for the remaining few weeks this season, ”City Hall spokesman Bill Neidhardt told The Post.

“But make no mistake, we won’t be doing business with the Trump organization in the future. Inciting an insurgency will never be forgotten or forgiven. “

Hizzoner announced last month that he was canceling the city’s contracts with the Trump organization, alleging that then-President Trump had incited a riot on Capitol Hill. The rinks were both scheduled to be closed when closing Sunday.

The staggering policy reversal came after devastated skaters declared themselves enraged over the weekend that they shouldn’t be kept off the ice because of Hizzoner’s beef with the Trump administration.

“The real people they suffer from are the 2,500 kids who have benefited from the skating program this season and the 250 innocent employees who made it happen for us,” said Lee Klausner, 49, who was watching his two daughters. skate.

An ice resurfacer at the Wollman Rink in Central Park on February 21, 2021
An ice resurfacer at the Wollman Rink in Central Park on February 21, 2021
Daniel William McKnight

Eric Trump on Sunday applauded City Hall’s decision to keep the rinks open.

“@NYCMayor Mr. Mayor – Thank you for keeping the Wollman and Lasker Rinks open – you have just made countless New York families (with our 250 employees) incredibly happy. This is a shining moment for New York and know that we appreciate it. I can’t wait to say “thank you” in person, ” he wrote on Twitter.

It was not immediately clear whether the rinks would remain open until April like in previous years.

Trump’s corporate group, led by his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, has operated the rinks for more than three decades.



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