Greenport Hockey Club Critically Needed, Parents Say, Kick Off Fundraising For Rink Cover

Photos by Vivica Spinelli.

NORTH FORK, NY - At not even 8 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning, with temperatures cold, the Greenport Village ice rink was packed with kids, laughing and focusing fiercely on a sport they're passionate about.

The kids, and parents, make tremendous sacrifices for the program, waking up in the pre-dawn hours and traveling not only from nearby, but some, from Shelter Island and points west, to savor the experience that means so much.

However, in recent weeks, some parents have expressed concerns over whether or not the ice hockey program will continue next year at the Greenport rink.

And others have kicked off a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for capital improvements to the facility as well as a cover for the ice they say would extend the season and make upkeep run more smoothly.

The Greenport Pirates Hockey Club, formed in 2008, currently has approximately 140 kids enrolled, said president Mike Ryan.

Parents gathered around the ice last Sunday agreed the program has had profound positive impacts on their kids.

Maureen Radigan of Southold said the ice hockey program is a benefit to the children and to the community. Her son, she said, has blossomed socially and gained tremendous self-confidence from his time on the ice.

Vivica Spinelli agreed, adding that local businesses benefit, too, from the crowds that turn out for sessions.

Spinelli, who created the "Help Keep Greenport Hockey Alive" Go Fund Me page— the page has raised $225 of its $200,000 goal — said the funding would be used for an enclosure for the village's seasonal rink, which is estimated to cost approximately $150,000.

In addition, funds would be donated to help the village repair equipment helped to maintain the ice, at a cost of approximately $50,000, she said.

The rink, she said, is integral to her son Angel's happiness.

"As a parent of a hockey player I witness first hand the many benefits for having an ice rink on the North Fork of Long Island," she said.

Benefits include providing children and the community with winter recreational activities, building self-confidence in those learning to skate and to play hockey, helping children from surrounding areas such as Shelter Island to form new friendships, opening the doors for college scholarships, and serving as a boon for local businesses during the off-season months, she said.

Most importantly, many parents at the rink agreed, the rink keeps children active during the long winter months, "leaving no room for negative influences" such an escalating heroin crisis on the North Fork.

"This last winter the rink was closed more often than not due to weather which having an enclosure could remedy," Spinelli said, adding that the two closest rinks are The Rinx, an indoor facility in Hauppauge and in Southampton.

"We need to keep our only North Fork Rink alive for our kids and our community," Spinelli said.

Program's future hanging in the balance?

After what some deemed a "rocky start" this season, village officials say they'd like to see the program continue next year.

Ryan, the club's president, said at this point, it's fair to say that the future of the program is uncertain. "We don't have any decisions made yet. Nothing's been decided yet. We don't know if we're going to change the format, or whether or not we continue to operate out of Greenport. There's a lot of things that are going to be discussed during the off season."

The winter, all agreed, was a tough one, with the warmer temperatures cutting down ice time dramatically — Ryan said at least 50 percent of the normally scheduled ice time was lost in the entire adult and children's program.

Ryan said he understands that the rinks is a "huge financial burden" for the village, with major capital improvements needed.

But parents do their part, he said: He and other dads take personal vacation time and sleep in their cars, he said. New Year's Day, he said, was pivotal in readying the ice. "If it wasn't for the volunteers who turned out, it wouldn't have gotten done," he said, thanking those who pitched in.

Ryan, who has two children in the program, his daughter, 11, and son, 13, echoed the views of many parents, kids and coaches out on the ice rink recently: The program has provided invaluable benefits to area children, providing them with a healthy outlet, new friendships, and the chance to excel at a sport that can open doors in the future.

It takes a village

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard said this week that the board fully intends to keep the rink alive in the future.

Despite a "bumpy" start and some confusion involving the contract early on this year that had some parents concerned, Hubbard said issues were ironed out.

Of the hockey club, he said, "We'd love to have them back next year. They rent the ice out, and it's good for them and good for the community."

Not only does the contract generate income for the village, but the influx of parents and kids benefit area businesses, the mayor said; the team provides a great opportunity for young people, he added.

This coming year, Hubbard said he'd like to see the contract delivered, and returned, earlier in the year, with no issues. "Hopefully everyone will get along and the kids will have some fun," he said.

As for concerns over a compressor, Hubbard said the rink, which runs on four compressors, had only three this season, but the individual who works on the system said that "would not make a difference."

Hubbard said, of the fundraising efforts for a cover, if Spinelli and other parents could raise the funds, "We would put it up and take it down" when the season is over.

Financing the cover would be difficult for the village to manage, he added. "The village loses money on the ice rink every year. We want everyone to enjoy it, and we want people to have something to do, but we can't lose a huge amount of money" on upgrades such as a cover, he said. "To ask taxpayers to fund a roof on the rink at over $100,000, that's a 10 percent tax increase. I can't raise taxes 10 or 11 percent for something used only a few months of the year, and not pave a road. We can't afford to do that."

However, Hubbard added, the village is looking to make approximately $20,000 to $30,000 in new equipment, as well as improvements to existing equipment; Port Jefferson recently did a $300,000 upgrade to their rink. "They've got a much better budget than we have. They're running it more as a business; we're doing it more as a hobby."

Even with a cover extending the season, Hubbard points out that rinks at areas such at Bryant Park have had to come down just due to the warm temperatures this season.

Village staff, he added, have been out at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., spraying water to make ice. "We made an effort to keep up with it as much as we could. Mother Nature didn't cooperate much this year."

Another idea, Hubbard said, is that the village would like to former Greenport Trustee Jamie Mills, who was on the board when the rink was initially opened. Mills, who owns a canvas company, might be able to make an awning or covering that could be placed over the rink, along with some shrink wrap used on boats, to keep the rain and sunlight off the ice.

"We're trying to think of solutions to make it better for everyone," Hubbard said. "But of course with everything in government, cost is a factor."

The mayor said he thought the GoFundMe page was a good idea, but he wished the group could have discussed it with the board first and said he looks forward to meeting with parents and volunteers at an upcoming work session and hopes they attend.

As for next season, he said, "We definitely want to have them back and keep the program going. Hopefully, the bumps in the road are all rectified and this year we have the paperwork taken care of by October."

Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts, who happened to be walking by the ice on a recent Sunday when kids were skating and spoke to parents, said, "Improving the rink and keeping the hockey league in the village is really important to me," said Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts. "It's a great piece of our community. Selfishly speaking, I would have loved to have had the opportunity to skate by the harbor as a kid and want to make sure my daughter will have the opportunity to join the program in a few years. Funding is the challenge."

But speaking to the kids and parents, their hope is clear: "I love it," said Jack, 10. "I just love it."

Bert Waile, who travels from Shelter Island with his son, Ben, 10, said the program benefits his child's "physical, mental, spiritual and social development. It's very important."

Greenport marina staffer Everett Nicholls agreed. "It keeps kids off the street."

Parents agreed the rink helps kids learn new skills, as well as a new sport, and enriches their lives immeasurably. Spinelli said her son, normally a late riser, is up before her on the days he has hockey scheduled. "He just can't wait to get out on the ice."