My Views on the Proposed Hockey Rink and Rec Project - Evergreen Walk

The Town Council is considering a proposal which will include building additional skating rinks at Evergreen Walk. I have heard from many residents, who both support and oppose the project. To gain a better understanding of this project, I have done well over 12 hours of independent research. I would like to share my conclusions and thank everyone who has provided information, data and ideas.

For the past 40 years, the South Windsor Arena has served the town by providing recreational skating and a venue for a multitude of hockey leagues.  I have read notes and views of several past presidents of the South Windsor Youth Hockey Association; I learned that the arena has been a partner, supporter and sponsor of the SWYHA. Building additional rink/s has the potential of forcing the arena to cease operations. In thinking about any proposal, I believe consideration should be given to any long established business which has contributed to our community. Calculations by supporters of the new arenas assume that the South Windsor area will cease operations. The owners have told me that they have no intention of changing their commitment to the town.

Proponents of the project have asserted that the South Windsor Arena is no longer able to meet the needs of our community. Presently, the arena serves the needs of approximately 26,000 (based on the 2010 census) South Windsor residents. West Hartford, with a population of approximately 63, 000 - has one rink that is used by the general public.  Additionally, a rink owned by Kingswood Oxford School is used primarily by W H Youth Hockey and the school’s students. After 44 yrs. of existence, the West Hartford rink is barely able to meet costs, even with a population that is 2.4 times that of South Windsor. In net profits made by the rink in West Hartford have been $13,235 in 2009, $22,211 in 2010, $21,385 in 2011, and expected to make $34,112 in 2012. However, the proposed budget of 2013 suggests that the rink will make $531 in the entire year. These profits do not include the responsibility to pay for bonding or lease purchase.  I spoke with Mr. James Capodiece, Director of Human and Leisure Services who felt that both the Rink and the Aquatic center were not money makers by any stretch. In light of those figures, the proposal to add additional rink/s to a town that less than half the population size of West Hartford appears to be a dubious business decision.

Who will pay for additional rink/s? Proponents of this project claim that revenue of 1.54 million dollars will be generated after expenses of $721,000 and a land lease bond of $531,000. According to my estimates, at best, revenue of $965,000 with expenses of 1.85 million (if the 20 year bond for $ 10.5 M is paid at 531000/year) or an expense of $ 2.03 Million (if the bond is
$ 10.5 M is paid at 705,000/ year). This will generate an annual loss of to the town between $890,000 and $1.06 million.  Both sides of our recent Presidential election made it painfully evident that the country is experiencing a fiscal crisis.  CT State tax increases and increases to local taxes (which I voted against), in 2012-13, will place an increased the burden on all of us.

We have an aging infrastructure that we have been placing band-aid efforts on and will need to have a real look at the upcoming needs of elementary school building/s, roads and paying for our sewage plant and much more.  While it is true that interest rates are low, buying something you don’t need is not a justification of the expense. It’s a stretch to think that a town of our size can support multiple arenas.  I understand the desirability of bringing more business to Evergreen. The proposal to build a hotel and apartment buildings may have greater viability. 
I am also concerned that the “nuts & bolts” of the arenas project were developed secretly by a few of the Council members. Others Councilors were not privy to the information or the process. I believe that all proposals and Council business should be transparent and done openly whenever possible.

Based on the realities of the proposed project and in the interest of the greatest number of residents, I will not be supporting this proposal. I urge all of residents to consider the reasons for this conclusion, and, most importantly, respect the views of those with whom you may disagree. In reality, all of us want what is best for our residents and town.   

M. Saud Anwar
South Windsor Town Council