|
|
Ice rink construction to proceed
|
| |
|
| 'You build your way out of a depression; you don't stop. That's the worst thing you can do.'
— Jimmy Rogers, former hockey player |
|
| |  |
|
|  | |
|
February 12, 2009 | 10:36 AM
In a unanimous vote, the Town Board voted for construction to begin on a new Dix Hills ice skating rink on Vanderbilt Parkway.
At 79,786 square feet, the new Dix Hills Park rink will be 8,474 feet smaller than originally planned and will connect to the existing rink, which will be overhauled. The $16.5 million job also covers construction of a new parking lot and septic system. The building will include a concession stand, locker rooms, skate/pro shop, skate rentals, two party rooms and changing areas.
Monies will come from a capital fund, $8 million of which is already in the town coffers.
Sixteen speakers turned up Tuesday night to opine about the resolution before the vote: many opposed, but more were enthusiastic about the new construction.
Attorney Deborah Poulos asked the board to rethink its position: "In this present current economic climate, it is your duty to act responsibly with the monies that have been entrusted to you. We cannot sacrifice essential services for this one project."
Questioning whether a second rink is necessary, Tom Dana said the project went from $800,000 in 1996 to what he estimates will add up to $20 million in cost overruns: "Your plans from the onset were way too ambitious and have cost this town hundreds of thousands of dollars. Redrafting plans over and over, paying architects fees, engineering firms, consultants and town employees working on this over-the-top project is wasteful."
Increased noise, traffic and crime are among resident Art Thom's concerns. "We can all count on higher taxes coming from the state and from the county to close their budget shortfalls," he said. "We surely do not need Huntington town services cut and long-term debt increased to fund an ice skating complex." To proceed with construction, he added, would constitute negligent behavior.
Frank Tinari, chairman of the Huntington Conservative Party, said the town's infrastructure is in the worst shape he has seen in his 30 years of living here: "Fiscal responsibility is your responsibility. Today, spending $16.5 million is not fiscally responsible."
But Barbara Williams, a national hockey and skating coach claimed that everyone who had spoken before her was missing the point: "The point is called 'children.'" Williams said that children need a place to go, to keep busy and stay out of trouble.
Danny Grodotzke, from the local plumbers union, spoke of potential jobs that the rink construction would create, allowing people to remain in their homes.
Lee Meadows, a coach who has worked at the existing rink for the past 10 years, said the ice arena is in dire need of repair.
Former hockey player Jimmy Rogers added, "You build your way out of a depression; you don't stop. That's the worst thing you can do."
After the vote, Supervisor Frank Petrone, explained that the project was years in the making. He admitted that costs escalated over time but noted that bonding rates are lower now.
"We believe the ice pad will be used seven days a week," Petrone said. "It certainly will have exceptional use. And at that point, many of the dollars that will come in will offset the bonding cost."
Councilwoman Susan Berland echoed statements about the new rink being a moneymaker to help create jobs while serving a large population.
"There are leagues with Huntington children chomping at the bit to get this ice time," she said. "It's not a small number of people who use this. It's going to open up a whole realm of programs for so many people. I think it's a great thing."
| |
|
|
|
| |
Copyright 2010
(631) 751-7744 | news@tbrnewspapers.com | www.northshoreoflongisland.com | About |
|
| |
|
