US News

MUSEUM’S ICE AGE

The home of the dinosaurs is ushering in a very modern ice age.

The Museum of Natural History next month plans to open a 12,000-square-foot skating rink behind its building that’s so up-to-date the Zamboni will be as extinct as the Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Post has learned.

Upper West Siders will cut figure eights on an artificial surface that doesn’t melt or require refrigeration or maintenance.

Even though it could stay open year-round, it will only be in business during the traditional ice-skating season.

The rink, which will be run by the museum, will be located on the Arthur Ross Terrace, adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt Park.

Creation of the new facility has been a closely guarded secret.

“We don’t have anything to say about it at the moment,” museum flack Steve Reichl said yesterday.

“We will be announcing it eventually, but right now it’s a little premature.”

But Community Board 7 Chairwoman Helen Rosenthal said she was delighted with the plan.

“I’m excited and looking forward to it,” she said.

“I think the community is going to like it as well.”

Rosenthal added that the museum had not been required to seek approval from the board but decided to present its plans for feedback.

“The block association checked and had no problems with possible problems with sound or lights at night,” she said.

Rather than sinking a large amount of money into the project, the museum is said to be renting the needed equipment this year – just in case the idea doesn’t turn out to be a hit with the community.

According to the manufacturer’s brochure, the “ice” has been scientifically engineered to allow skate blades to glide as smoothly as they do on real ice.

The rink will be larger than the one at Rockefeller Center but considerably smaller than the Wollman/Trump Rink in Central Park, which measures about 30,000 square feet.

Sources say the rink, which overlooks a reflecting pool, will stay open late at night.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Upper West Side resident Melissa Penn.

“My older kids can go skating, while I take the younger one into the museum to keep warm. They can get exercise and culture in just one stop.”

Another neighborhood resident, who identified herself only as Bonnie, said, “I hope it takes off. We need something like this.”

braden.keil@nypost.com