Businessmen Renew Ice Rink Proposal
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
A Northport resident and business owner has renewed a proposal to build an outdoor ice rink in the village, and he’s teaming up with another local businessman who led the initial push.
Richard McGuigan, president of Superior Ice Rink in Kings Park, wrote a letter to Northport Village officials asking them to consider the plan to build the rink on the southeast side of Northport Village Park. He said it could help draw more people to the village during the summer months.
McGuigan stated that he’s been in contact with Artie Berke, owner of Nina’s Pizza and former president of Northport Chamber of Commerce, who previously proposed a plan to build an ice rink in Cow Harbor Park, but it never moved forward.
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Northport resident Richard McGuigan has asked village trustees to weigh in on his plan to build an ice rink in the village.
He wants the rink to offer public ice skating, lessons and limited ice hockey and figure skating from November-March. He has also proposed that it could be used as a water play area in the summer months.
“In order to move forward, I would need to know if this is something the village is interested in pursuing and/or if there were any administrative, insurance, logistical or political issues that would preclude such an endeavor,” wrote McGuigan, who has owned Superior Ice Rink for 40 years, and moved to Northport from Nissequogue with his family in August 2015.
He continued, “If we clear those hurdles, I would then be willing to move forward and get the necessary architectural, mechanical, and insurance experts to help prepare a feasibility study and presentation to show the village.”
Henry Tobin, deputy mayor of the village, said that he would be happy to entertain a proposed village ice rink if it meets certain conditions.
“Our park space, especially during the good weather, is limited and very valuable so if there’s a proposal to have a concession and the concessionaire would take care of putting up the rink, running the rink, having adequate insurance, and then removing the rink in the early spring and restoring any damage to the park, that’s something that I would be willing to look at,” Tobin said. “But, as a village-owned operation, or even as a permanent installation, those things are out of the question and I suspect my fellow board members feel the same way.”
Tobin said there hasn’t been any public discussion on the topic from the board. However, he added, discussion on the proposal at upcoming meetings will be welcomed.
Northport Village officials said during their July 18 meeting that they’ve received a letter in opposition to the proposal.
Northport residents John and Joan Peters wrote, “The grassy area is not fallow ground waiting for a clever idea to use it. And an ice rink along the harbor is an affront to our nautical heritage.”
The letter also raises concerns about noise and crowding issues.
