It's skating time

The highly-anticipated return of a roller skating rink to Watertown could happen as soon as Wednesday.

Isaac Alexis III, Evans Mills, said Monday he hopes to open the rink in part of the former Hacketts department store then after a few last-minute approvals.

He signed a lease in September with Soggs Commercial Property, New Hartford, for about 22,440 square feet. Mr. Alexis filed business incorporation papers at the county clerk’s office with the name ShowTime Skating.

It’s been a while since Watertown kids have done the hokey-pokey on roller skates. The city has been without a skating rink since 1997, when the former Watertown Roller Skating Rink at 401 Mill St. was closed, according to Times archives.

With an ad in Sunday's classifieds section, it also looks as though the Fireside at the Partridge Berry Inn is nearing completion. I'll be following up with both this week.