Board Approves $75K Increase in Roller Rink Improvements Bond

Trustee Brian Daughney suggested Thursday that the board increase the bond for roller hockey rink improvements because "that end of Garden City Community Park needs a decent or nice facility for bathrooms, etc."

"I'm concerned that cutting things out is not the way to go at the moment," he added, noting he just wants to make sure the village covers as much as it can - at least conceptually - at this stage of the game.

Daughney proposed increasing the bond amount from $675,000 to $750,000 but opened it up for discussion.

According to Kevin Ocker, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, the higher number "is safer at this point."

"I agree we're not tying our hands so to speak so we don't get what we need," he said. "We've had some favorable discussions with the committee ... Staff and others on the board realize that a support building in that area of the park is important."

That building, Ocker said, could also support other sports in the area like soccer and football and a possible roller skating program in the future.

"It's a very smart way to go," he said. "I think we can work with that number through doing some things in-house."

Trustee Laurence Quinn, board liaison to the recreation department, said those at an informal meeting of the sub-committee acknowledged that options exist to expand. "I too would go with the larger number," he said.

Deputy Mayor John Watras said he's okay with "maxing" the bond out but questioned whether other revenue sources could help like a food source. "We didn't do so well with mini golf," he said. "I want to make sure we do well here."

Ocker said there is "definitely" revenue potential there and he did discuss adding a food component to the building like a concession stand. "Seasonally it would certainly do well in that area," he said.

Phase I of the roller rink replacement has already been approved. de Bruin Engineering P.C. is doing the preliminary design, cost estimate and construction documents for bidding as Phase I continues, according to Ocker. The projected timeline for the renovation's completion is April 2013, just in time for the spring roller hockey season, he said.