ELKHART, Ind. (AP): Unseasonably warm weather has led Elkhart city officials to close a downtown outdoor skating rink.

Officials opted on Thursday to close the popular attraction at NIBCO Water and Ice Park until the weather is consistently cold enough “to rebuild our ice rink.”

A statement posted to the city's website says crews tried hard to keep the rink open, but just could not “keep up with Mother Nature.”

The city's parks department hopes to reopen by Jan. 8 if the weather permits.

The high in Elkhart on Friday was forecast at 48 degrees.