Council Shares More Details On Potential Ice Rink In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — One of the hottest topics of discussion in East Brunswick is the proposed ice rink. Public sentiment has been divided over the project with many voicing their concerns or support.

During Monday’s meeting, an information session and public discussion were held to address the potential construction of the ice rink.

Mayor Brad Cohen was the first to address the public. He said council members undertook field trips to study established ice rinks in nearby towns and the data being presented was provided by experts.

The ice rink would be located at 110 Tices or at the old Wonder Bread factory. The property is around 24 acres but only two-thirds will be utilized for the project. Of the eight acres available, only six are buildable as the remaining two are wetlands. Given the amount of land available, it could only accommodate a rink, Cohens said.

While many residents expressed interest in a recreational/community center, instead of an ice rink, Cohen said it wasn’t the "right location" given its proximity to highways. The mayor said that a community center should be in the "heart of the town" and not close to highways. Instead, the location best suited a rink as it would allow people from other towns to access it, bringing in much-needed revenue to the municipality.

The area chosen for the rink is fast developing as an entertainment hub and is expected to be a big economic driver for East Brunswick. Cohen said the township’s chamber of commerce supported the idea because an ice rink would bring more business to the commercial corridor, and local businesses stand to benefit from traveling teams and people outside East Brunswick who wanted access to the rink.

Some residents also wondered if the rink could be developed on Heavenly Farms. But Cohen said the idea wasn’t a good one because there are no local businesses around that could benefit from the project. “The ones that are closet are in South Brunswick. And while I have many friends in South Brunswick, I’m really not interested in providing a benefit to the taxpayers of South Brunswick on the backs of East Brunswick residents.”

He also pointed out that Heavenly Farms was Green Acres land and any project there could not have enclosed buildings.

“If you go to Old Bridge, one wall of that ice skating rink is open,” Cohen said. “In the middle of the summer you have to shut the rink down because it’s way too expensive to make ice,” Cohen explained.

Heavenly Farms is also septic and in order for the township to put a building there, they would have to convert septic to sewer lines which would result in additional costs.

The current architectural plans include having floorboards that can be put over the rink, and used for basketball, volleyball, concerts, lectures, etc., Cohen said.

The idea of a pool at the location was also not profitable as it would require expenditure on heating, chemicals, lifeguards and more, Cohen said.

As far as architectural costs were concerned, Cohen said the number given to East Brunswick by the design firm was “reasonable.”

Mark Reissner, Director of Recreation, Parks and Community Services made his presentation after Cohen and said that there was a "significant source of programming revenue” to be made from an ice hockey rink.

He said his department was in contact with NJ Youth Hockey League and the Eastern Hockey League to find out what it would “involve in creating a team beyond our in-house teams.” He said the ice rink can also be used for figure skating.

The rink would have two sheets of ice that could accommodate tournaments, multiple teams at the same time, public skating and ice hockey, Reissner said.

The building will also include a skate sharpening and rental area, party rooms and food concessions spots.

The third presentation of the evening was from Keith Kipp, director of planning and engineering, who provided more details on the project.

To watch the whole meeting click here.

The township plans to build a municipal-owned hockey rink on 8 acres of land. This rink will be part of East Brunswick's recreation utilities and will have multiple uses like ice hockey and ice skating. All-purpose areas like a basketball court are also being planned for the building.

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