The Right Project

THE RIGHT PROJECT FOR THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST

Over the last 15 months (Dec 2021 through Feb 2023), the Town conducted a feasibility study and created a schematic design for a new Community Rink to replace the (now broken) Skip Viglirolo rink.

The result is an exciting and yet “no frills” facility that has a flexible and smart design to provide multiple types of activities and services for our community.

LINKS TO INFORMATION BELOW

DESIGNED FOR A BROAD MIX OF COMMUNITY USES

The Community Rink takes the core features of a rink and expands the ways they can be used. This 12-month, multi-use facility will benefit the broader community – with 3 seasons of skating, new “non-ice” summer programs, a home for hockey, facilities for events like football games and Soccer Night, and much more.

USES OF THE FACILITY

3-seasons of expanded skating programs for all ages
Skate rentals that facilitate casual useand wider participation
Summer options for “non-ice” camps and sports
Bathrooms, concessions, and locker rooms that also Harris Track & Field and nearby fields
Supports many BHS sports, including football, soccer, field hockey, ski, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, track & field, softball, baseball, and golf teams
Hockey home ice for Belmont teams & developmental programs
Will serve more than 5,000 residents of all ages in all seasons

PROJECT DETAILS

One sheet of ice = 17,000 sq ft athletic surface
Same athletic surface used for “non-ice” summer camps & sports
One level, no mezzanine
Solar panels & sustainable design
Public lobby includes skate rentals, bathrooms, & small snack bar (also serves Harris Track & Field and nearby fields)
4 team locker rooms for 3 seasons of BHS sports (currently in White Field House)
4 dressing rooms for youth, visiting teams, rec programs (currently in old rink)
ADA accessibility (Americans with Disabilities Act)

SUSTAINABILITY

The new facility will be energy efficient using regenerative heat, the entire cooling system will be electric, and a solar array will cover the roof – advancing the Town’s climate goals and providing an operating cost benefit.

THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST

When the old rink could not make ice in November and December, the Building Committee began a rigorous process to update, adjust and validate the project scope, assumptions, design, and cost for a new Community Rink.

The result is a project that efficiently does what we need for the lowest possible cost.

DESIGN CHANGES

The building is new construction with a thinner, rectangular design that reduced the square footage and eliminated or reduced significant renovation expenses.
The plan for a solar array was taken to the next level of design which provided better cost estimates.
The 4 locker rooms and 4 dressing rooms were adjusted to serve the needs of the field sports as well as the ice sports, eliminating the need for additional locker rooms.
Nice-to-haves like the viewing mezzanine were removed.
MOST IMPORTANT – these changes were made without impacting the program scope. In other words, the building still performs all of the necessary functions needed by the community, but it achieves this with a more efficient design.

PROJECT COST

The updated project cost estimate is 10% less than the project in November (now $29.9 million, down from $33.4 million).

Every avenue to reduce cost has been explored. The cost estimate must include hazardous materials, challenging site conditions, supply chain escalation, prevailing wages, and statutory requirements unique to public sector projects. Public sector projects will always be more expensive than private sector projects for these reasons.

More Information

THE RIGHT TIME

This is the right time to build the Community Rink. The old rink is broken and will be closed permanently. The Community Rink project has been updated and validated – it is ready.