Possible Vandalism Forces Abrupt Closure of Puddle Dock Pond

Authorities are investigating the possibility of vandalism at the Puddle Dock Pond at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth over the weekend that forced the skating season to come to an abrupt end.

According to the Press Release on the Puddle Dock Pond Facebook page, officials say the valve to a chiller tank was opened sometime between this past Sunday and Monday morning, forcing refrigerant to spill out and causing the chiller to shut down.

The possible vandalism means the remainder of the skating season had to immediately be cancelled. Officials say web cams at the location were in use and authorities are looking at the footage.