Town awaiting word on funding for rink rebuild

A $5 million legislative bond bill earmarked for rebuilding the Metropolis Skating Rink on Route 138 only needs the signature of Governor Charlie Baker.

However, state Senator Walter Timilty Jr., who worked on the bill with Canton state Rep. Bill Galvin, does not know when or if the governor will authorize the funds for the rink. Baker has approved the bond bill as a whole but still has the right to veto any individual project contained within the bill.

More than 3 years have passed since the roof collapsed at Metropolis Skating Rink. (Moira Sweetland photo)

The funds for the rink have been endorsed by both the House and Senate as well as a joint legislative committee. Both Galvin and Timilty have been heavily involved throughout the entire legislative process.

“It’s been an uphill climb, but we are still in the running. We are lobbying the executive branch,” said Timilty, who pointed to the high demand for youth and adult hockey and skating programs in the area.

The latest cost estimates for design, construction and permitting of the rink is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million, according to a consultant’s report received by the town in June. The town, to date, has received $3.2 million in insurance proceeds but design expenses have whittled the available funds to less than $3 million.

In the meantime, the town is still awaiting word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding its application for federal disaster funds, which could cover up to 75 percent of structural repair costs for damages incurred during the winter storms of 2015.

Selectmen Chairman Mark Porter and Town Administrator Charlie Aspinwall have both been in contact with FEMA officials concerning Canton’s application, although Porter said the timing of the agency’s decision remains an open question.

“We know we are getting the support of MEMA (Mass. Emergency Management Agency),” said Porter. “But ultimately someone in Washington, D.C. will make a decision and when, we don’t know at this time.”

Meanwhile, a design report containing actual costs is underway and Aspinwall anticipates that the report will be delivered in November. The report will be key to determining whether selectmen will need to seek additional town funding to rebuild the rink, either through the May annual town meeting or a special town meeting.

The town is also cognizant of a looming February 2019 deadline to sign a contractor or otherwise risk losing its insurance proceeds; however, Porter said Canton’s town counsel could potentially ask the insurance company for an extension.

The rink is owned by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and operated by the town under a long-term lease agreement.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Aug 11 2018. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.