Veterans, service members, and their families can now hit the ice for free in Auburn.
As part of a new initiative to increase activities and events for veterans, the Cayuga County Veterans Service Agency (VSA) has partnered with the City of Auburn to give veterans the chance to skate for free at the Casey Park Ice Rink.
Cayuga County VSA Director Kevin Swab told Finger Lakes News Radio that the goal of this initiative is to support the health and wellness of veterans by providing them and their families with activities that get them out into the community.
The overall program is the prevention of veteran suicide,” Swab said. “That ties into wellness and connectivity and getting veterans out doing things, and so this was an opportunity to team up with the City of Auburn’s Casey [Park] Ice Rink and we set it up so veterans can go there with their family and skate for free.”
Open skating at Casey Park runs now through March 10. The rink is open Fridays from 6:00-9:00p, and Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00-7:00p. Any changes or cancellations to this schedule are updated on the Casey Park/Falcon Park Facebook page.
While a few events were held by the agency last year, Swab said he’s beginning the initiative in earnest this year. He is already planning events and activities for the warmer months. Anyone with questions about the free skating program can call 315-253-1281, text 315-294-8072, or email [email protected] for more information.
Funding for this initiative comes from the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project which seeks to support the post-service health and wellness of veterans, service members, and their families.
