HEBRON – A couple aiming to encourage outdoor winter sports has opened a public ice skating rink behind their convenience store, with a lot of help from from individuals, organizations and businesses.

Beth and Lon Francis, owners of The Storekeepers on Hebron Station Road for the past 13 years, opened the 60-by-100-foot rink Dec. 27 on the infield of the H. Packard Memorial Ball Field.

“It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a couple of years,” Lon said, as a way to get people active during the cold weather months.

It’s working. The rink has attracted a steady flow of skaters.

“Some of them have never been on skates,” Lon said, “and then an hour later they’re doing great.”

The Francises bought the field when they opened the store and help maintain it. The Minot-Hebron Athletic Association and Hebron Station School use it for baseball and soccer.

When the couple decided to build the rink, they put a notice on the store’s counter soliciting help. A woman offered to have YouthBuild Lewiston, a program that teaches young people carpentry and building skills, construct the rink. Lowell Lumber of Buckfield donated strapping, while Parent Lumber of Mechanic Falls and the Paris Farmers Union offered reduced prices for lumber and plastic.

The Francises recognized Matt Beane of Hebron for maintaining the skating area, the Bouncing Bogies Snowmobile Club for donating $100, and the Hebron Fire Department for flooding the area and contributing maintenance.

“It wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the Hebron Fire Department,” Beth Francis said.

“We really like to have a place for the community to gather and socialize,” she said. “It’s a good community here. People are very helpful.”

Though there is no charge for skating, the couple has received about $75 in donations since opening the facility.

Beth Francis said the store has also become something of a “swap shop” for ice skates, as visitors can drop them off.

A spotlight on the rink allows for night skating until about 10 p.m.

“I’ve learned a lot building it,” said Lon. “Next year it’s going to be a lot better.”