Roller Hockey Rink on Track for Opening Day

Phase II of the hockey rink redevelopment project is on schedule for opening day, just in time to drop the puck, according to Kevin Ocker, chair of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs.

"We plan on opening the rink on Friday, April 19," Ocker told Patch. "We are also talking about a preview opening but have not decided on a date because we still have lines to put down and a sound system to install."

The Garden City Department of Recreation and Parks offers various hockey programs for residents ages 5-17 and 30 and over throughout the season. Spring programs will include include new age brackets, as well as new days and times. Check the department's website for updates.

The roller rink is primarily used by the roller hockey program the department sponsors. All together, Ocker said, more than 350 residents use the roller hockey program. Residents are also allowed to use the rink on "open time" for their own use.

In September 2012, the board unanimously awarded the rink replacement bid to Philip Ross Industries, Inc. The company came highly recommended, according to Ocker, having just completed the $2.2 million pool contract. de Bruin Engineering P.C. did the preliminary design, cost estimate and construction documents for bidding.

The project is being bonded for $750,000.

Originally the project was to be bonded for $675,000 but at the request of trustee Brian Daughney in July 2012 the board increased that amount by $75,000 because "that end of Garden City Community Park needs a decent or nice facility for bathrooms, etc." Officials agreed that a "support building" in that area of the park is "important" and could support other sports like soccer and football and a possible roller skating program in the future.

Please visit the hockey section on the Recreation home page for more information.