South Windsor Town Council to Discuss Proposed Rink/Rec Center, Budget, Snow Angels

The South Windsor Town Council has a full agenda for its first meeting of 2013.

Indeed, during the work session, which is set to begin at 7 p.m., the council is scheduled to discuss the proposed ice skating rink and the recreation center project that, if approved, would be constructed at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk.

The project, which was initially proposed in October as a single $10.5 million combination indoor/outdoor ice skating rinks, swimming pool and recreation center complex, has been met with vocal support and opposition in equal measures.

The project was proposed to be funded through the creation of a 63-20 corporation, with the town leasing the complex for a set amount of money for a period of 30 years.

The project was called into question by some residents, however, because the town already has a privately owned hockey rink in the South Windsor Arena. But Town Manager Matthew Galligan recently said that he expects that, if the project were to go forward, that a private investor would take over the ice skating rink portion.

Regardless, at the last council meeting on Dec. 17, Galligan said that the numbers for the hockey rink still need to be vetted independently. At that meeting, Galligan provided three options for the swimming pool and the recreation project, with the least-expensive option coming in at about $530,000 per year, when factoring in debt service and IRS depreciation.

Because there are so many issues to be discussed, the council is dedicating a full work session to the recreation center.

In addition, Galligan is expected in his report to the council to discuss the audit report of the town’s finances, including how the fund balance is calculated.

The regular meeting, which is scheduled to start at 8 p.m., will bring discussions and/or votes on, among other things, the following (provided there is enough time)

• Creation of the Snow Angels program for the removal of snow on sidewalks for individuals who are unable to do so on their own;

• A resolution that will establish an unexpended education fund account for the board of education;

• A resolution endorsing the regional performance incentive program project proposal;

• The 2013-14 budget;

• Town health care; and

• An update on the Connecticut Studios project.

Check back with the South Windsor Patch on Tuesday morning to see what took place at the meeting.