The Waterloo Park District recently completed the second phase of its Optimist Skateboard and Bicycle Park plans at 308 North Library Street with the addition of a hockey rink.

Now, interest is building for the creation of youth and adult hockey leagues at the rink.

The asphalt surface, which remained as part of the former tennis courts at the park, has been covered with concrete for the new rink. Polycarbonate Lexan sideboards were recently installed to keep the fast-moving puck in play, and goalposts were repainted to make the rink ready for action.

Waterloo police officer David Midkiff, who has played and coached hockey for the past 20 years, is trying to bring his love for the sport to the youth of Waterloo and Monroe County by forming a hockey league.

He recently sent a letter to the schools to drum up interest for the new league.For the past three years, Midkiff has organized a charitable kickball tournament known as “Kickball For Kids” that has raised more than $15,000. Those proceeds have been able to help fund local Special Olympics athletes of the Monroe County Patriots.

This year, Midkiff said he is using some of these proceeds to purchase equipment to help start the hockey league.

 “At this time, I am looking to see what kind of interest I receive from the community,” Midkiff stated in the letter.  “Hopefully, we will have a few leagues starting in the early spring of 2015.”

The plan is to offer both floor hockey and roller hockey leagues. Age groups have not yet been determined, but Midkiff is hoping to offer leagues for ages 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, 17 and under and also adult leagues.

An informational meeting is set for Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Waterloo VFW starting at 7 p.m. Those interested in possibly participating in this proposed league are encouraged to attend.

For more information, email Midkiff at kickballforkids@hotmail.com.

“I look forward to the upcoming possibilities with this league.  The Waterloo Park District has done an excellent job in providing a quality hockey facility in downtown Waterloo,” Midkiff said.

But not everyone is happy about the new hockey rink at the skate park.

Scott and Marla Norris, who live next to the park at 217 Magnolia Avenue and have filed a federal lawsuit in an attempt to cease activity there, expressed displeasure with the new addition due to what they claim is an added level of noise that already disrupts their daily lives.

“We and our neighbors are astonished that they would intentionally create a louder venue for the neighbors of Koenigsmark Park when we have already heavily complained about the existing noise,” Scott Norris stated in an email to the Republic-Times.