By JOE LOGAN (9/2/2008 7:04:05 AM)
After months, actually years of hard work by local residents trying to make the dream of creating a venue for local East Aurora youth a reality, the time has finally arrived.
The Aurora Ice Association has obtained possession of the actual rink that was used for the Winter Classic event held at Ralph Wilson Stadium on January 1st, 2008 between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Specifically, they have purchased the same tubing that was used for the game and are looking at other items to purchase through the same vendor including the chiller, dasherboards, glass and zamboni.
This will be an outdoor single sheet rink that will be used while the future plan of a twin rink continues to go through the SEQR process. There will be no spectator seating which will come as good news to local merchants currently struggling with Main Street reconstruction and a general lull in the economy.
The group already has a plan for scheduling time at the rink. It will include several hours of open skating, skate and shoot sessions and practice for local hockey teams including the East Aurora High School Varsity and JV teams.
We spoke with AIA President Tony DiFilippo earlier today. "We will continue to move forward with the village and community to try and get approval for our initial plan for the location, but this was a great opportunity to allow the youth here in East Aurora to begin utilizing the land for a positive purpose right away. This is what we have been about since day one."
The group plans to begin ground breaking at the site this week and they have a ambitious plan for opening the rink for skating on November 1st.
A spokesperson for the AIA said that they will not have to go through another formal approval process for this plan since it is private property and meets all code requirements for the land. "Attorney Bob Pierce drafted a letter that basically said that since none of this is permanent we do not need village board approval." Of course the AIA will still need to go through the process for their initial plan for a two rink facility.
This all began when Tony spoke to John Cipperman (board member for the AIA) about the possibility of obtaining the Ice Bowl as a seasonal temporary rink. After looking into the idea it seemed like a win win situation for all involved.
DiFilippo said that he does not know how long the rink will be up however it will be used at least this year from November through March.
DiFilippo was also confident that this would help local Main Street merchants. When parents drop off their kids for practice there is no seating so either they can wait in their car or sit in a warm cafe, or even shop in one of the many locally owned stores.
As for parking, the remaining part of property will be available for parking and should have about 50 or 60 spots available.
"This will be Old time hockey," said DiFilippo.
No word yet from the Residents for Rink Relocation. They have argued that the venue is too small to support a twin rink. Since this is a single outdoor rink it will be interesting to see what objections they have.
There is a village work session tonight at 7PM at village hall where they will continue to discuss the SEQR process for the permanent facility that is still on the table.
For those interested, the AIA is selling raffle tickets for a "Sabres Dream Trip" (flight with the Sabres to an away game, hotel, and game tickets). Tickets are $5.00 and they will draw the winner at the D.A.R.E / Aurora Ice Golf Outing next Monday, September 8th. If you would like to get a ticket you can contact friess@roadrunner.com or one of the board members. Contact information can be found here.
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User Comments:
scott ...(12/1/2009 3:58:52 PM)
who knows if the ice rink is open
Marie P ...(1/3/2009 10:16:16 AM)
Thinkrink.org for schedules
John Fischer ...(12/30/2008 10:56:54 PM)
I will be at the adult pond hockey tournament at the EA rink on New Years Day 2009. I was at the Ice Bowl in person last year and it was awsome. This will make two years in a row only this time I will be skating on it. No better way to start a new year than with a hockey game on the infamous Winter Classic rink!
Jessie ...(12/30/2008 9:38:49 PM)
Are skate rentals available? and what are the hours? is there open skate?
brandon ...(12/21/2008 5:49:59 PM)
check if any leages are avivalible
bob ...(12/19/2008 2:29:26 PM)
i love the rink
Larry ...(12/1/2008 9:15:34 AM)
I would think that there would be more information or maybe even a web site to go to for information concerning this new ice rink. My son and I live up here in orleans county and am more than willing to make the trip. When, where, and how much??? Open skate hours?? Is anyone in charge of making a schedule? How do we get ahold of these people? So mant questions, so little skating time!!
john ...(11/26/2008 5:00:44 PM)
just looking for the hours for open skating and info about it like how much
Joe Logan ...(11/24/2008 10:56:12 PM)
http://www.thinkrink.org/classicrink/calendar.html
greg ...(11/24/2008 3:34:27 PM)
just looking for some information on the rink hours. Open skating, and skate and shoot. Thanks......
christina butcher ...(11/17/2008 7:39:19 PM)
this is an excellent idea. i love it. i am a girl and i do play ice hockey so the thought of a new rink that is close by is amazing. i already went skaing and it's awsome to know that one of the buffalo sabera or penguins touched the boards.:] i love the ideaaa. :]
phil ...(11/17/2008 1:01:04 AM)
I think this hocky rink is a great thing for the people of east aueora and connecting towns. Why not sooner? but at least it is here now. Little more info on pick up hocky games would be nice. I just hope parents and childern will use it so we don't loose it.
TD ...(11/13/2008 6:44:56 PM)
GO RINK GO!!! GO RINK GO!!!!
( Thanks for the catch phrase "Julie mom of 1")
stacey ...(11/12/2008 8:03:31 PM)
i think the rink is an awesome idea. I grew up in this area and just recently moved back. I am so excited about the rink. Finally something to do in the winter that doesn't involve driving a half an hour to other towns. I've been to the downtown rink before and the rink in rockafellar center in Nyc. There is nothing more magical than skating out in the crisp air and enjoying the beauty of the lights. Hoorah!! Ps If you've ever been to an outdoor rink the cooling equipment is not at all loud. You probably hear way more noise from all the construction vehicles that are constantly on Main Street.
Holly ...(11/10/2008 1:48:33 PM)
WOW!!! This is great. I grew up in a town where the tennis court doubled as a hockey rink, basketball court, and anything else we could think of. The community paid taxes and taxes and taxes and never cared what the kids needed. A hockey rink will do mothing but improve the quality of East Aurora. This is one of the best decisions I have ever heard. I live in a different town now. I am not an East Aurora resident but I can not wait to come spend my money in your town. Some of you people should think about the fact that we will be bringing in MORE MONEY to your town. Think about it!! Just because you don't want to skate or you don't have kids who want to. Maybe just maybe you will have kids or grandchildren that might want to go. Just think about it!! I am glad you went ahead with this and BOO HOO to all you naysayers!
sara ...(11/9/2008 8:05:07 AM)
I skated on the rink the first Saturday it was open. I am very excited about. I plan on skating quite a bit this season. I am hoping a season pass will soon be available. Otherwise, it would really put a damper on things when I have to tell my three kids that we can't aford to skate as often as we would all like. Also, I am concerned about the free for all type skating with no ice supervision. It was a great atmosphere on the ice the night I went. Everyone was having fun, no doubt. But without anybody supervising on the ice like they do at other town rinks, it is an accident waiting to happen. I would hate for a serious injury to occur.
Kathi ...(11/8/2008 2:08:31 PM)
Cant wait! New Years Day 09!!!! Here we come!!!
Rick Guard ...(11/4/2008 9:25:54 PM)
Hi All, The founders of this dream are really hero's. My son and his best friend (son of a who's who) have been to the rink 3x's now, what an awesome event on saturday with everything. anyone who is complaining about noise is off base and would really benefit from hearing the laughter and happy voices if they would visit the area. The street has been a wasteland for years with 500 ton train blasting through every couple of days. That is real noise, EA kids having a great time is not noise, but or future citizens. Please support the rink.
julie MOM OF 1 ...(11/2/2008 1:31:14 PM)
THIS IS A GREAT EXCAPE FROM WINTER BLUES AND A GOOD WAY TO GET SOME EXERCISE W/OUR CHILDREN INSTEAD OF SITTING LIKE POTATOES IN OUR HOMES GO RINK GO!!!!!!!!
Nina G. ...(10/31/2008 10:22:07 AM)
I am really looking forward to skating on this rink!