Portland, Ore. – The Lloyd Center’s first‑floor ice rink, a beloved community fixture since 1967, will close this Saturday. The decision follows a City Council vote last month to replace the aging mall with mixed‑use housing and open green space.
Decades of memories on thin ice
Jerry Leonard, 75, and his wife Tally, 81, have skated together on the rink for six decades. Their story began when a summer‑time trip from Yakima led Jerry to Portland, where a local instructor introduced him to Tally. The couple married in 1971, raised two sons, and ran a dental practice while keeping a regular spot on the ice.
Over the years, the rink hosted everything from teenage hangouts to a third‑place finish at the 1969 National Figure Skating Championships. It survived the mall’s 1991 roof addition, the 2014 reduction to an oval shape, and the decline of traditional department stores. Yet the rise of online shopping has shuttered nearly 15,000 malls nationwide, and Portland’s council decided the Lloyd Center needed a new purpose.
City Council’s plan
In a unanimous vote, council members approved a redevelopment proposal that will transform the 29‑acre property into a blend of residential units, pedestrian pathways, and landscaped areas. A petition from a group of skaters asking the city to preserve the rink “for Jerry, Tally, & Portland” was rejected, with officials citing the broader need for affordable housing and modern public amenities.
Councilmember Maya Patel explained, “We honor the memories made here, but our city must adapt to the housing shortage and provide green space for future generations.” The plan includes a small public plaza that will reference the rink’s history, though no ice surface will remain.
Community reaction
Longtime patrons expressed sorrow mixed with gratitude. “We had our years to skate here,” Jerry said, holding Tally’s hand as Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” played. “The younger generations won’t have what we did, but they’ll have new places to gather.” Mothers at the rink exchanged contact information, promising to keep an eye out for other ice facilities in the region.
Local businesses that once thrived alongside the rink, such as the caramel‑corn stand and nearby boutiques, have already felt the shift toward online retail. Yet many still recall the mall as a social hub where families shopped, teenagers hung out, and community events unfolded.
What’s next for Portland skaters?
Skaters hope the new plaza will include a commemorative plaque and perhaps a seasonal pop‑up rink. In the meantime, they plan to travel to nearby ice arenas in Gresham and Beaverton, though the convenience of a downtown rink will be missed.
The closure marks the end of an era for Portland’s mall culture, but city leaders argue it paves the way for a more sustainable, family‑friendly future that aligns with the community’s evolving needs.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
