Hopkinton Selectmen Hear Ice Rink Proposal

The Hopkinton Parks and Recreation Commission and the president of Demons Youth Hockey proposed a hockey rink on open space designated for recreation at Legacy Farms at Tuesday night selectmen's meeting.

The rink wouldn't cost taxpayers any money. The proponents would rent the land from the town for a nominal sum. They would  provide a "recreational infrastructure" such as a parking lot, paths and other amenities to make the land accessible.

Parks and Rec Commisssioner Ken Driscoll said the infrastructure would put the recreational area's development on fast forward.

The rink would allow the Demons to start or accommodate a girls hockey program, a figure skating program and would allow the non-profit youth hockey organization to schedule ice time for its 25 youth teams, plus Hopkinton High School.

The Demons are made up of boys from Ashland, Holliston and Hopkinton, about half from Hopkinton, Demons President John Bloomer said.

Steven Zieff, speaking for the Legacy Farms development team, said the hockey rink, as a community gathering place, is something the developers very much support. The rink would be a barn-like structure that would fit the architectural look of Legacy Farms.

Selectmen voted unanimously for the town to explore how the different parties involved - the town, Legacy Farms and the Demons - can proceed with what Town Manager Norman Khumalo called "an open and transparent process" to move forward on the rink.