The City of Syracuse Parks and Recreation Departmenthad to put the Meachem Rink operations ‘on ice’ in April when the cooling system broke down. Thanks to State Grants and the research for a less expensive solution, the rink will reopen in the fall. Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli and Senator Dave Valesky helped to secure about $460,000 dollars in capital support. Valesky says the timing was right after recently finalizing the State Budget.
“It saves taxpayers dollars in the long run, it utilizes new technology. We may have an opportunity to participate with the County through the County with the Save the Rain Project. So, it’s a win, win on a lot of fronts.”
Replacing the current refrigeration system at Meacham would have cost 1.5 (M) Million dollars. Mayor Stephanie Miner says the City Parks Department has been searching for a solution. It happens to be the same ice mat system used at Rockefeller Center in New York.
“What’s gonna happen is we’re going to lift the boards and pour concrete. That will allow a mat to get put down which has pipes in it that freeze the water the water that gets put on top. “This is the newest State of the Art Technology.”
Miner says the technology is also used by the NHL and will have a life-span of ten years. The Meachem Rink is used by the Valley Youth Hockey, Corcoran High School and the public…about 24-thousand people annually. Once the new cooling system is installed, the Rink will be open year-round.
