BETHEL — On December 7, Norway Savings Bank employees and Bethel officials met at the site of the former Ethel Bisbee school to exchange the initial $2,000 check for the phase one of the new Bethel Community Ice Rink. From left: Liz Repetto, ice rink volunteer and enthusiast; Bob Oickle, Chairperson of the Recreation Board; Loretta Powers, Bethel Town Manager; Dan Walsh, President, Norway Savings Bank; Mike Grass, VP, Market Manager; Jay Kiel, VP, Mortgage Loan Officer.

NORWAY — Norway Savings Bank is proud to announce a donation of $6,000 ($2,000 per year for three years) to the Town of Bethel and its Recreation Department to build the new Bethel Community Ice Rink at the site of the now-closed Ethel Bisbee Elementary School on Philbrook Street.

The rink, which will be built-out in three phases, will provide a totally unique experience for winter visitors and year-round residents alike. Volunteers are currently waiting for a 3- to 4-day window of clear and cold weather to build and fill the ice rink for the 2021-22 winter.

“This winter, the rink will be 40’ x 80’ with seating and mats for spectators,” said Loretta Powers, Bethel Town Manager. “Over the course of the next two winters, we plan to expand the size of the rink and add lighting, higher backstops, and other amenities to make it a wonderful venue for ice sports and recreation.”

“Due to Norway Savings Bank’s generous multi-year donation, we can plan ahead with confidence and know that our full vision can come to fruition,” said Bob Oickle, Chairperson of the Recreation Board. “Bethel residents and visitors will really enjoy having this resource in the center of town, easily accessible to all.”

“I’m so pleased that Norway Savings Bank could help the Town of Bethel with funding this special place to gather, recreate and make memories as a community,” said Dan Walsh, President of Norway Savings Bank. “It’s my hope that our donation helps to jump-start the additional fundraising efforts needed to complete the project.”

More volunteers and donations are needed! Anyone who would like to volunteer or has questions about the project, please email: bethrec@gmail.com. To make a donation, you can mail a check to the Town of Bethel (put Ice Rink in the memo) and mail to: Town of Bethel, PO Box 1660, Bethel, ME 04217, or you can drop it off at the Town office during business hours.