Preliminary Ice Rink Feasibility Study
Project Status
On March 16, 2022, the Skating Rink Task Force met for a final time as a culmination of their nearly two years’ worth of work in service to the Park and Recreation Commission and the Town of Brookline. At this meeting, the committee accepted the final Brookline Ice Rink Recreation Facility - Preliminary Feasibility Report from the consultant team and voted on recommendations to be presented to the Park and Recreation Commission. There were five motions that were presented, and all were unanimously supported by the Task Force.
The motions are thoughtful and will require significant investment of collaboration across departments, as well as sourcing of funding, to accomplish.
Overview
The current outdoor rink, which has been in operation since 1958, is a beloved community asset that has served generations of Brookline residents. While this ice rink is a wonderful and unique recreational facility, it is vulnerable to the weather and inadequate for youth and adult ice hockey or competitive figure skating. Due to the short season and unpredictable conditions, the community has long discussed the need for an indoor or covered ice rink facility.
In June 2020, the Park and Recreation Commission met and voted to appointment a Task Force to have public meetings to discuss the short and long-term future of the skating rink at Larz Anderson Park. During this past year the Task Force worked collaboratively with the public, the Park and Recreation Commission and Town staff to achieve a variety of goals including the conversion of the Larz Anderson Mechanical Room to accommodate temporary refrigeration units in the winter and a recommendation to commence a feasibility study to review the viability of a renovated or new ice skating rink in Brookline.
The Brookline Ice Skating Rink Recreational Facility Preliminary Design Services went out for bid in April 2021. Interviews were completed through the Town’s Purchasing Division by a Selection Committee consisting of Parks and Recreation Staff, Commissioners and Task Force Members during the month of April and into May. The bid was ultimately awarded to a team assembled by Klopfer Martin Design Group (KMDG). The team includes, JLG Architects, a nationally recognized architecture firm specializing in sports facilities, particularly ice rinks, for both municipal and institutional sports clients. In addition, KMDG will work with McMahon Associates on transportation studies and Jennifer Schultz of Sullivan & Worcester regarding project permitting.
This is an exciting, long-awaited project for the entire community and we look forward to hearing your input and feedback through the process.
Town of Brookline Website