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Skaters at both Central Park rinks are devastated that this weekend is their last on the ice this season – and angry with Mayor de Blasio for shutting down Trump’s rinks early despite his political nemesis.
The Post reported on Saturday that the Lasker and Wollman rinks would close on Sunday, six weeks ahead of their regular April closing dates.
Last month, Hizzoner announced he was canceling the city’s contracts with the Trump organization, alleging that President Trump had encouraged rioters to storm Capitol.
Trump’s corporate group, led by his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, has operated the rinks for more than 30 years.
The skaters who hit the ice on Saturday told the Post they felt like pawns in de Blasio’s political game.
“The real people they are suffering from are the 2,500 kids who have benefited from the skating program this season and 250 innocent employees who have made it happen for us,” said Lee Krausner, 49, while watching his two girls skate.
Also on Saturday, the Trump organization issued a letter about closing a door at the Wollman Rink.
Next to the letter was a notice regarding a petition to prevent the rink from closing prematurely. The petition, launched by figure skater Serena Sabet, had collected more than 1,700 signatures on Saturday afternoon.
“I was so upset. I’ve literally been skating here since I was 3 years old. …. We know everyone here, it’s like a second family, ”said Sabet, 18, who was at the rink on Saturday. “This is our last year. So much has already been ruined.
Marc Weitzman, who taught figure skating at Wollman for 12 years, told the Post that Blasio’s decision would affect young skaters more than Trump.
“I understand the politics, I understand, but I think in this particular situation it’s the kids and all of us who are teaching here,” said Weitzman, 44.
The parks department is looking for a new concessionaire to operate the rinks, but proposals for the position are not due until March 19. The city is also planning to break contracts with the Trump Organization for the Central Park carousel and Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx.
The mayor’s office could not explain on Friday why another concessionaire was not found before the rinks closed, and did not respond to questions from the Post on Saturday.
“I would like someone from town to take the notes. Bloomberg, or whoever, one of the big companies so kids don’t have to suffer, ”said Francois Ragot, 50, whose son has been playing hockey at Lasker for a decade.
“It was very sad,” he said. “Last night the kids were playing hockey and we figured out there wouldn’t be any games for the rest of the season.
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