Trump Organization loses bid to reclaim operation of Wollman Rink

President Trump’s real estate company got passed over in its bid to reclaim management of Wollman Ice Skating Rink in Central Park, sources said Wednesday.

The city Parks Department recommended that Wollman Park Partners — a not-for-profit joint venture between Related Companies and City Pickle LLC — be awarded the new 20-year franchise.

The Trump Organization stepped in and renovated Wollman Rink in the 1980s after bumbling and fumbling by city officials, and ran it for decades thereafter.

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But former Mayor Bill de Blasio forced the company out in a retaliatory move amid outrage over the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot involving Trump supporters.

The Trump Organization submitted a bid to win back the franchise.

The awarding of the Wollman franchise will now be vetted by the city Department of Investigation and then the city’s franchise and concession review committee.

“The Adams administration follows a well-established, New York City charter-mandated process for negotiating and awarding concessions. While we are continuing to work through this process for Wollman Rink, as we do with all of our concession contracts, the Adams administration has been clear that we will always prioritize the needs of New Yorkers and make the best use of taxpayers dollars,” a City Hall spokesperson said.

“That is the case with the Wollman Rink award. We will share our selection officially once it has been finalized.”

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The Parks Department last fall put out a request for proposals to run the rink for 20 years for when the current contract expires Oct. 31, 2026.

The consortium that currently operates the rink includes Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the New Jersey Devils hockey team; Related Companies and Equinox.

During the warm months, the rink is used for pickleball matches.

Team Trump said it should never have been booted from running the iconic rink.

The reconstruction of Wollman Rink in the 1980s had been an embarrassing, multimillion-dollar boondoggle for then-Mayor Ed Koch.

But in the summer of 1986, Trump, whose office is near Central Park, jumped into the fray and offered to rebuild the rink in time for the fall with a new, smaller budget.

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His contractors ended up completing the project below the $3 million price tag. Even Koch, who was feuding with Trump at the time, joked, “I am now renting him out to other cities.”

The reopening of the rink was a PR bonanza for Trump — and his contract with the city to run it lasted more than three decades.

The Trump Org. still values its history with Wollman Rink, featuring it on its website.

“The Wollman Rink would be later known as one of the greatest comeback stories in Manhattan,” the site boasts.

“The Wollman Rink, Lasker Rink and historic Central Park Carousel will remain a wonderful part of the history of the Trump Organization. We are incredibly proud to have saved these beloved icons and have been the proud caretaker for many decades ….. We hope that these properties will continue to thrive and be cherished.”

Sources speculated that awarding the Wollman contract to the Trump Organization would raise objections from DOI because of civil fraud ruling against against the president’s firm. But city officials said the legal issue was not a factor .

The Trump Organization had no immediate comment.

Related Companies, the recommended winning bidder with CityPickle said a in a statement, “Wollman Rink is an iconic New York City landmark and, alongside our new partner – CityPickle, we submitted a comprehensive bid to be able to continue the work we’ve done to welcome thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world for years to come. We look forward to a decision from the city.”

Meanwhile, the city elected to exercise a six-month extension of the contract with the current operator, which will run through April 2027  — the end of the 2026-2027 winter skating season — before the new contract takes effect.