RTM Cuts Funding For Design Work On New Ice Rink

GREENWICH, CT—The Greenwich Representative Town Meeting made just four cuts before approving a $448.5 million municipal budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022 on Monday night.

Among those cuts was the reduction from $950,000 to $50,000 for design work for a new ice rink, which passed by a vote of 120 in favor, 80 opposed, with 10 abstentions.

Lucia Jansen, Chair of the RTM's Budget Overview Committee (BOC), which brought forth the motion to reduce, said the BOC supports a new rink, but more needs to be known about the project after questions were raised during the reviewal process.

Jansen questioned how the allotment of ice time to various stakeholders would work, and noted that while Parks and Recreation expects to operate a new rink year-round, they were "unable to provide any costs associated with moving to a 12 month program."

She also said that of the five construction options recently presented, three of them would require new sewer lines to be installed underneath the nearby baseball field, and more needs to be known about the impact to memorial trees for Byram veterans in the park.

"Through our discussion, it was clear that an especially large number of facts are unknown. They are unknown not only to the town, but to the Board of Estimate and Taxation, and the proponents of the project," Jansen said, while noting that $50,000 would be left in the budget as a gesture of support for a new rink. The entire rink is slated to cost $17 million.

"There are many stakeholders involved in this externally, including the baseball players who use the field, the Byram Veterans Association, Mckinney Terrace with senior citizens facing the green space, the dog walkers, the abbuting neighbors on the street," Jansen added.

Several speakers spoke in favor of the reduction. Alan Monelli, Superintendent of Construction for the Greenwich Department of Public Works, called the rink an "important project for the town" and added that money for the rink was included in the budget so that if a final site plan was granted by Planning & Zoning in the first quarter of 2022, the project could continue without abatement next year.

Monelli told the RTM that all construction options "are going to be protective of memorial trees throughout."

Despite the reduction, First Selectman Fred Camillo said on Tuesday that the town will push forward in order to bring a new rink to residents.

Camillo said that he has spoken with many RTM members following the vote to reduce funding, and said he has noticed widespread support for the rink. But asking questions and getting information is all a part of the process.

"It's democracy. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I've found that out wherever I've gone in life. It could be the most worthwhile project and the most needed project, but nothing is ever going to be a quick, easy clear path," Camillo said.

The current rink was built in 1972, and it was nothing more than a slab of ice with some boards, said Camillo, who recalled going there every Wednesday as a 10-year-old to skate. The rink was then built-up in piecemeal fashion, which has led to disrepair.

"It's been five decades of a very subpar facility. Our residents deserve better, our hockey players deserve better, our skaters deserve better, our residents deserve better. We're undeterred. We'll make it happen and we'll get there," Camillo said. "Things usually don't go through in the first round. We're aware of that. It's part of the process and you have to respect that."

Camillo said that the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink committee has started to meet more often, and that public/private partnership opportunities for the rink are still being pursued.