For a time last summer, the Working Friends of Harvard Hockey were skating on thin ice. Their $350,000 fund drive for a building over the outdoor hockey rink came dangerously close to an August 1 deadline before being fulfilled. But the group collected $250,000 by that date and thus received $100,000 from the estate of the late John W. Watson '22.

Now because of the group's efforts, a structure is rising around the Soldiers Field arena and, barring unexpected delays in construction, the rink should at least be roofed in time for the opening of varsity hockey practice Nov. 15.

Although the building will not be an elaborate one--the outside walls will be of concrete blocks--it will include team rooms, shower facilities, and will ultimately seat 2,000 spectators.

But despite these additions, the primary advantages of the converting, as far as both hockey coach Cooney Weiland and the athletic budget are concerned, are that the sextet will be able to practice every day and that refrigeration costs should plummet.

Refreezing Costs Greater

A mild winter brought occasional sunshine and frequent rain last year, making the outdoor rink unplayable for almost a quarter of the practice session; but the Department of Athletics lost more than practice time--the costs for refreezing the playing surface were found to be far greater than the simple maintenance of a frozen surface.

But the Donald C. Watson memorial rink--named after John Watson's late brother, an ex-Crimson football player-- will solve these problems. Its completion will mark the conclusion of over four years of effort which began in 1950, when ex-hockey coach John P. Chase donated the initial $1000. The drive reached partial fruition last winter when the outdoor rink was built.

Now, however, the Friends' labors are nearing their ultimate goal; the ice on the rink should no longer be thin.