Two ice skating rinks in Central Park, operated by the Trump Organization, will remain open until the end of the season, reports CBS New York. The runways were originally scheduled to close on Sunday at 4 pm because New York City is severing ties with the Trump Organization due to the Capitol riot.
“New York children deserve as much time on the ice as they can this year,” said Bill Neidhardt, press secretary to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “The Wollman and Lasker rinks will remain open under current management for the few weeks remaining this season. But make no mistake, we will not do business with the Trump Organization going forward. Inciting an insurrection will never be forgotten or forgiven.”
Although the contract with the Trump Organization runs through April, the rentals for Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink were set to end on February 26. Sunday’s original closing date was chosen to allow time for the Trump Organization to move.
Families condemned the move, with a skater begging for longer. “So much has been taken from us this year, and that was something that was holding us together,” Mya Henning told CBS in New York. “It’s just, like, six more weeks that we’re asking for.”
Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization and son of former President Trump, released a statement to CBS in New York calling the action “a political ploy that only hurts New Yorkers.”
After the decision was reversed, Trump thanked Blasio in Twitter, and said he hopes to “thank personally”.
The Trump Organization will no longer operate the carousel in Central Park, as well as a golf course in the Bronx. The Trump Organization is appealing the city’s decision to cut ties.
The city is looking for replacement operators, although it is unclear when a replacement will be named.