We All Want a New Hamill Rink - It's the Project Scope That May Be Unaffordable
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Most Greenwich residents favor a new Dorothy Hamill Rink. While there are lingering debates over location and scope, the consensus is clear: our town needs a modern ice facility.
In an April 14 Statement titled "Board of Selectmen offer full support for Hamill Rink Task Force recommendations," the three members of the Board offered a full-throated endorsement for building a new rink in Morlot Park—and only in Morlot Park. The Board stated: "We want to be entirely clear—we do not and will not—support developing an ice rink at the 100 Arch Street (Baldwin Park) location." So that's settled—if press statements are all it takes to end a town-wide argument.
The Real Problem: Scope is Bigger Than Anyone Thought
The project currently on the table is massive. This isn't just a rink replacement; it's a fundamental reconfiguration of our public space. The proposed plan includes:
An enlarged NHL-sized rink relocated to a different corner of Morlot Park.
A larger Mazza baseball diamond and an upgraded memorial grove.
Park-wide infrastructure: Restrooms, concessions, sidewalks, and lighting.
Major site work: Retaining walls, significant fill to regrade the park, and a second roadway curb cut for traffic egress.
The "Unknowns": Geothermal systems, contaminated soil remediation, and massive new tree plantings.
Essentially, almost half of the park will be disturbed during this process.
Project Cost May be Bigger Than Anyone Can Afford
What is missing from the rush to get this project on the books is a real cost/benefit analysis. The Hamill Rink Task Force has allowed a specific rink project to morph into a total redevelopment of Morlot Park.
Consider the "Scope Creep" by the numbers:
Original Concept: $16 million
Current Estimate: $41 million
Projected Reality: Since "pen to paper" engineering hasn't been finalized, history suggests this number will inevitably climb higher.
At what price point does the Town allow itself to back off the "total park" vision and bring the focus back to the rink itself?
Between the Lines: Think of it this way: You really need a new kitchen. You realize that while you’re at it, there would be many benefits to rebuilding the entire house. But after analyzing the staggering cost of a total rebuild, you decide to focus on the kitchen renovation alone to remain solvent. Is there an off-ramp like this for the Town?