The Rink Replacement Project is making significant progress.
The Community Engagement Survey Report of 47 pages and the Supplemental Appendix of 150 pages were received in January 2023 and are available on the Rink Project website. The primary conclusions of the Survey are:
- “Based on the results of the study, SFA believes that there is an opportunity and positive community support for the redevelopment of the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink within Morlot Park. SFA recommends that the Town further explore any legal, environmental, or other constraints to reconfigure the park and coordinate the use of the existing Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink with limited closure of the ballfield during construction.” (page 3)
- 98% of respondents live within a zip code assigned to the Town of Greenwich, CT. 56% of respondents participate in programs and events at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink. (page 1)
- 84% of respondents overwhelmingly support construction of the new Hamill Rink adjacent to the existing rink on today’s Strazza Field and construction of a new Strazza Field on the footprint of today’s rink.
The Rink User Committee for Design and Planning adopted this recommendation based on the Survey results: The Town should proceed with the planning and construction of a new Hamill Rink on the footprint of today’s Strazza Field and a new Strazza Field on the footprint of today’s Rink. This is the clear preference of Greenwich residents, as noted in the Survey. This plan eliminates the cost, delay and complexity of siting, planning and building a second, temporary rink.
The First Selectman presented the FY 2024 Budget on January 24, 2023. The proposed budget includes a capital appropriation of $950,000 to complete the design to include construction drawings for bid. Construction funds of $21,000,000 are foreseen for the following year, FY 2025, which commences July 1, 2024. If this schedule is adhered to, construction would commence in the fall of 2024, and residents would be skating at the new rink starting in the fall of 2025.
The First Selectman’s FY 2024 budget set an objective of signing the contract for remediation of the Western Middle School fields in June 2023. Langan's Remediation Plan provides for a remediation-and-construction period of about 5 months commencing in July 2023. If this schedule is adhered to, the Western Middle School fields would be in service again in 2024 (finally!) This would successfully provide baseball facilities which are in great demand in Greenwich.
The First Selectman’s Rink User Committee for Design and Planning meets monthly, and public participation is encouraged. Agendas can be found on our website. Also, your input, suggestions, and comments are invited at any time. Please contact the Committee.