Today's letter comes from Dawn Miceli regarding the town's newest asset, the ice skating rink at . If you have a letter to the editor you'd like to see published, you can submit it to Local Editor Jason Vallee at jason.vallee@patch.com.
Dear Editor:
Southington now has a new recreational activity to pursue – ice skating! A temporary ice rink has been installed at Memorial Park thanks to the work of volunteers and the generosity of several local businesses and private donors.
As many residents who install similar rinks in their backyards know, temporary rinks do not cause damage to the underlying ground. Instead, they provide an opportunity for skating enthusiasts to enjoy the sport and the fresh air during the long winter months year after year.
This new community offering could not have come about without the generosity of seven donors who immediately stepped up to fund the rink. Donations came from ESPN, Billy Carlson Heating & Air Conditioning, PTE Energy, The Calvanese Foundation, Ray Gorman and family, an anonymous local donor and Yarde Metals. Pete Rappoccio of Sign Pro donated the signage at the rink site.
Also invaluable were our volunteers who donated their time and efforts to install the rink over the New Year’s weekend. Thank you to the following volunteers: Joe and Jake Miceli, Marylou, Zach and Shane Domian, Matthew and Connor Stifel, Corey Kosienski, Tad Rogala and Fire Chief Buddy Clark. Thank you also to various Town Hall staff, boards and commissions for the collaboration on this project, including Recreation Director Dave Lapreay, Assistant Superintendent of Parks Mike Manware, Highway Superintendent Steve Wlodkowski, Parks Dept. employees Steve Pompei and Gary O’Hala and the Southington Fire Dept. crew manned by Fire Capt. Peter Kurtz.
Once Mother Nature cooperates, the rink will be open daily to the public until 10 p.m., the same hours as the park. Moreover, Southington North Baseball League has generously offered the use of its snack stand for civic groups to sell hot chocolate to skating enthusiasts.
Thank you again to all who brought this idea to fruition for our great community. Start sharpening your skates and we’ll see everyone at the rink!
Michael Domian and Dawn A. Miceli
Rink Committee Founders
