Hamill Rink Replacement Project Takes Next Step In Approval Process

GREENWICH, CT — The proposed Dorothy Hamill Rink replacement project took one step closer in the approval process Thursday, as the Greenwich Board of Selectmen voted to refer the plans to the town's Planning & Zoning Commission for Municipal Improvement (MI) status.

MI status is required for all projects on town property and allows projects to pursue funding from the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

Greenwich Director of Facilities Luigi Romano appeared before the selectmen Thursday to give a brief presentation on the proposed project. The current Dorothy Hamill Rink was built in 1972 essentially as a slab of ice. It was then built up in a piecemeal fashion, leading to disrepair over the years to the point that it needs to be replaced.

Romano stressed that the latest version of the proposal is the result of hours of public meetings and a lot of feedback from the community in recent months.

The current proposal expands on the original "flip" concept, which was halted by the Representative Town Meeting last January after several residents referred MI status to the RTM, an action allowed under the town charter.

Those in favor of removing MI status from the project at the time argued that the current rink proposal was at odds with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development, a document that serves as a guiding light in land use decisions.

Other RTM members said they felt the planning process for the rink project, which had been spearheaded by the Rink User Committee for Design & Planning, a group put together by First Selectman Fred Camillo several years ago, was flawed and that a more "transparent and inclusive process" was needed.

Camillo subsequently created the Hamill Rink Task Force in March 2025 after the RTM's vote. The task force has held around 30 public meetings, including two public hearings, and has gathered public feedback from stakeholders.

The current proposal calls for the construction of a new 40,671-square-foot, regulation-size skating facility in the outfield of the current Strazza Field within Eugene Morlot Memorial Park, just north of the existing Hamill Rink.

Romano said this version pushes the rink further away from a memorial grove of trees that was dedicated to Byram veterans who died serving the country, allowing the area to remain "a peaceful place full of serenity."

The existing rink would remain operational to support programming. When the new rink is ready, the existing rink would be demolished and replaced with a new parking lot to meet current zoning regulations.

Romano noted that the new parking lot has been situated in the southeast corner of the site, "where it's tucked away and less visible to everyone." The existing parking lot would then be removed and replaced with a new 90-foot, reoriented baseball diamond, complete with dugouts, some stands, an outfield fence, and 300-foot dimensions down the baselines.

Parks and Recreation Director Joe Siciliano said that only Junior Varsity and freshman teams can play on the current baseball field due to the dimensions.

"This will give us a regulation size field which we don't have today," he said.

Plans also call for a separate parking area near the memorial tree grove, expanded walking paths to enhance connectivity and passive recreation throughout Eugene Morlot Memorial Park, reduced rink seating from more than 600 to 500 to better reflect usage and minimize parking needs, and a reconfigured layout that centralizes greenspace around the tree grove.

There would also be consideration for future solar panels, with potential integration of a geothermal heating and cooling system for the rink facility.

Exterior-access restrooms are included within the building to service park users, and a snack bar is also included within the facility in lieu of a food truck option.

Also of note, an access way would be provided, allowing visitors to utilize nearby Western Junior Highway. Currently, the only way in and out of the site is Sue Merz Way.

"We heard in a variety of ways that the community all across town is very excited about this project, and no one said they didn't want to get it done," Romano said. "Everyone wants to get this project done, they just want to see it's done in an appropriate manner. We feel that it is doing just that in this form."

Camillo stressed that it was important to not only bring a new state-of-the-art skating rink to town, but also to enhance other aspects within the park to create a complex for residents and visitors to enjoy.

He said the town is "confident" the new baseball field can be paid for through donations, and that work will continue with Hamill Rink Task Force Chair Matt DesChamps to "chip away" at the cost for the rink.

"We want to make sure we give taxpayers as big a break as possible," he said, noting there's an anchor donor in place already.

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, who called into the meeting by phone, also pointed out upcoming refurbishments to the historic Thomas Lyon House, which is located near the rink on Byram Road, and how the rink project would enhance the section of town.

"I think [this project] is just a win-win for that whole area," she said.

Selectwoman Rachel Khanna thanked the Hamill Rink Task Force for its work and praised the consideration for sustainability.

Next up, the Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to discuss the project, go through the merits of the proposal and ensure it complies with the POCD. There will be more opportunities for the public to weigh in with feedback.

"Thank you to everyone who has worked really, really hard on this. This has components in it, I think, for everybody, including sustainability," Camillo said. "We only get this shot once in a lifetime, so let's do it the right way."