History:
With skating always being a favorite winter sport, Bristol has been fortunate with nearby water for ice skating. Â Silver Lake (originally called the Mill Pond) was a place where ice skating was very popular. Â The Delaware Canal that passed through Bristol Borough was also another local spot for the winter sport. Â In 1970, an uncovered ice rink was constructed adjacent to the canal's lagoon on Jefferson Avenue. Â This became very popular, especially with the growing interest in professional ice hockey teams.
By 1975 a roof was added to the rink and it was enclosed with partial funding from the Grundy Foundation. Â This enclosed rink extended the skating season. Â This rink even served as a venue for a Bicentennial Ball in celebration of America's 200th anniversary in 1976. Â In 1995, the Grundy Rink was destroyed by fire. Â It was then decided to relocate the rink site to the former property of the Leedom's Carpet Mill on Beaver and Canal Streets.
In 1997, the Borough constructed a state-of-the-art facility that instantly became the pinnacle structure of the industry. Â By the year 2000, the size of the building for the ice rink had been doubled and a second ice rink added. Â Presently the Grundy Recreation Center provides a perfect setting for recreational ice skating and for organized hockey teams to practice and compete.
