Board relocates skating rink to golf course as water crisis deepens.
Newport relocates skating rink to golf course amid water shortage. Gilman Pond, the town's primary water source, sits approximately 26 inches below normal levels, with water production down 25 percent to roughly 220,000 gallons per day from a previous average of 350,000 gallons daily. The
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of January 5, 2026
NH NEWPORT — Newport relocates skating rink to golf course amid water shortage. Gilman Pond, the town's primary water source, sits approximately 26 inches below normal levels, with water production down 25 percent to roughly 220,000 gallons per day from a previous average of 350,000 gallons daily. The traditional Common rink requires approximately 75,000 gallons per season.
The Board of Selectmen directed staff to pursue a memorandum of understanding with golf course property owners and implement public signage about the relocated skating area, while continuing to evaluate longer-term solutions including potential use of a rink liner.
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Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of January 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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