Schuylkill Haven borough Mayor Mike Devlin is optimistic the ice will be thick enough to skate on Saturday for an ice skating party at Stoyer's Dam.
"I believe by Saturday that the ice is going to be fine," he said Wednesday.
The party is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. with hot dogs and hot cocoa provided. Hess Catering and Devlin, along with the recreation department and the borough, all will help in the effort, Devlin said.
As of Wednesday, the overall thickness was not appropriate to skate, Brian Murray, foreman for the borough street department, said. Ice must be six inches to safety skate.
Workers measure the ice in different locations with a ruler after chipping away at it with a metal bar.
The section near the end of the dam near the footbridge was 8 inches, the middle 6 and the side closest to Turkey Hill was 4 inches Wednesday. Murray said.
"We don't want anybody falling through on the other side," he said.
Street department workers Mario Donatti and Chad Hasenauer measured the ice Wednesday at 8 a.m. and after 2 p.m.
The ice is not measured Saturday and Sunday because no one is working, Murray said.
If the ice is not thick enough, people will be prohibited from going on the ice.
"I'm not disappointed, but I feel bad for the kids who want to skate," he said.
Devlin knows the ice might not cooperate.
"We're going to give it a try this year," he said.
Last year, weather conditions were not appropriate for ice skating.
Dan Kelly, superintendent of streets for Pottsville, said the ice skating rink also isn't up.
"We didn't even talk about putting it up this year," Kelly said Wednesday.
Kelly said they didn't know how cold it was going to be this year. He doesn't think it will be brought out this year at Rotary Park.
Due to warm weather, the rink was not out for people to enjoy last year.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website also has information on what state parks permit winter activities at www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
According to the site, Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks permit ice skating as does Sweet Arrow Lake County Park in Pine Grove.
The ice measured about 8 inches at both Tuscarora and Locust Lake as of Monday, according to the latest estimate on the DCNR website.
Lew Williams, park manager for both parks, said Wednesday he didn't see anyone ice skating recently.
Ice skaters were on the ice Sunday at Sweet Arrow Lake for the annual Fire & Ice Fest.
Clint Clauser skated effortlessly on the ice Sunday.
"We are practicing for the Olympics," he said jokingly about his family.
The 40-year-old from Summit Station and his wife, Chris, 39; son, Douglas, 5; and daughters Ava, 11, and Mya, 9, all were having fun.
Bob Evanchalk, Schuylkill County parks and recreation supervisor, said those who venture on the ice need to take precautions.
"We do not monitor the ice thickness. It's up to you to do it," he said Wednesday.
At Deer Lake on Monday, no one was skating on the ice.
A sign said the thickness of the ice is not measured on the lake and those who venture on it do so at their own risk.
Craig Evanego, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service State College, said Wednesday a warm up will be in store.
Today, high temperatures will be in the mid-20s and sunny and a low of 15 degrees.
Friday the high will be in the mid-30s, with a low in the 20s.
Saturday has a chance for temperatures to reach the upper 30s. There is a 40 percent chance of rain, the NWS said.
With the rain, "that may not be conducive to be out on the ice," Evanego said.
For tips on ice safety, visit the state Fish and Boat Commission website at www.fish.state.pa.us.