Residents Support Hockey Arena Proposal

In Hopkinton, Hockey can be a tough sport, but is loved by many. Players begin as early as age seven and continue right on through high school with at least one notable resident making it the NHL. What isn’t so loved about hockey, is getting up at 4:30 in the morning to drive to Marlborough’s so the team can practice before school.

The and Hopkinton Parks and Recreation Commissioners are looking to change that though. They have plans to build an indoor ice rink on the property that was given to the town.

Last night the commissioners and a room full of residents heard the proposal from the president of the Demons organization jack Bloomer.

Bloomer had the board in November, but this time the presentation included more detail as to what the town can do with the remaining land.

The parcel that the town is looking at is 19 acres in size. It has some wetlands and an easement for a gas line, which prevent construction in some areas, but would allow for soccer fields and other types of outdoor activities such as tennis, hiking and potentially horseback riding.

The plan is to lease the one section of the land to the Demons for $1 so they can build and run the hockey arena and parking lot at now cost to the town.

“We will pick up the bill for the infrastructure at no tax-payer cost,” Bloomer said.

Bloomer also said having the rink in town will create an economic boost to the town of $2 million annually from families that come and shop in town while their children are skating.

Tim Kilduff spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce echoing Bloomer's thoughts.

“This is the kind of out of the box thinking that we need to continue with going forward,” Kilduff said.

Everyone in attendance at the meeting was in favor of the rink, but some still had worries that it would limit other uses by the town.

“We want to make sure that by having the rink we do not preclude other activities,” Bloomer said. “This will enable them and the rink will get them started down that road.”

The rink wouldn’t be just for Demons players, it would be a facility where the middle and high school teams can play and practice, as well as venue for public skating and other on-ice opportunities.

After the Parks and Recreation Commissioners give their approval, the next step would be for the Demons organization to present the proposal for the to work out the details of the project.