Last weekend the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena hosted its annual figure skating show, Broadway Showstoppers. The event featured everything from preschoolers just learning to skate, helped along by some older skaters, to the figure skating club and a guest appearance by Trisha Roohan, a gold medalist at the Empire State games.

There were costumes and raffles, homemade snacks and sequins, solo numbers and group performances. And by the end of the weekend, there were many, many tears. For the seniors and their parents it was their last show. For their teammates it was the sadness of saying goodbye to their friends and mentors.

Although many skaters were multi-sporters, figure skating seems to carry with it an extra level of drama. Falling is part of the bargain, all the way up to Olympic competitors. It hurts the body and the pride, which is of course what makes it all the more miraculous, each glide, turn and jump no matter the outcome.

Soon after the show, the Zamboni cleared the ice for the final open skate of the year before the rink closes for a $3.7 million overhaul, thanks to a major capital campaign and a $1 million grant from MVYouth. Hockey season had ended a few weeks earlier, figure skating just a few moments before, but many were back to enjoy the old ice one more time.

Change is often bittersweet. The rink was established in 1974 as an outdoor facility and was enclosed in 1980. And though an upgrade is overdue, thousands of skaters along with their parents and friends made precious memories in that old arena.

By Monday the parking lot was filled with backhoes and dump trucks, and parts of the rink lay in heaps on the cold asphalt like some giant metallic exoskeleton tossed aside to make way for new growth. The new rink is expected to open in the fall.

Thanks to those who helped create a fine tradition of skating on the Island. Thanks too to those who with their hands and pocketbooks are insuring its future. Keep those skates sharp. Next season is right around the corner.