Senator Joyce on the status of the Ulin rink

Last Thursday, in a letter to Milton town officials and the community, Senator Joyce updated them on legislation before the Massachusetts House regarding the Max Ulin Rink which sits at corner of Unquity Road and Canton Ave, identified the benefits of that legislation, and in doing so, sought to clear up misinformation swirling around this issue.

The future management of the Ulin Rink has become something of a hot button issue recently. The principal issue has been the complaint of a group of residents who feel the DCR did not give adequate notice regarding an RFP for the rink management. The Board of Selectmen head from the residents during a recent session in which they aired their concerns. Senator Joyce later showed up at that session to respond to statements made by the residents as well as the Chairman, Mr. Shields. It was at times a contentious and confusing dialogue. The key concerns of the residents were that a professional rink management firm would result in higher fees and that local players, teams, and leagues would lose access. Senator Joyce and DCR Commissioner Richard Sullivan maintain those concerns are unfounded.

The DCR, which manages neighborhood rinks in the Commonwealth, is soliciting proposals for the Ulin Rink and 4 other urban rinks.  The DCR is in the process of shedding the management of the rinks due to financial cutbacks. The deadline for munipalities “seeking to pre-qulify” has been pushed back to May 3rd. Commissioner Richard Sullivan, who also addressed a letter to the community this past week, discusses the status of theRFP, private management of rinks, and states:

“Under the terms of all agreements, existing ice schedules are honored and priority is given to the following:

  • Nonprofit youth groups
  • School hockey
  • Youth group other than non-profit
  • Adult organizations or informal groups

DCR also ensures that public skating hours are not reduced,  and requires these facilities to provide a minimum of 12 hours per week . . . On average, a leased rink operates 5 months longer than a state-operated rink with a longer skating season.”

In his letter to the community, Joyce explains the rationale and benefits of his legislation, a variation of which has passed the senate for the past 8 consecutive years. He closes by stating that:

“I belive that Senate Bill 2327 would save taxpayers at least $12.5 million over a  period of twenty-five years, create $2.5. million in new revenue for the Town over that same period, and ensure that Milton’s youth enjoy an abundance of inexpensive ice time in a well maintained, professionally run facility.”

If the legislation fails to pass the House and does not become law, Joyce acknowledges that “the Governor will exercise his prerogative to permit the Ulin Rink for 5 years in order to save very limited sate resources for higher priority items. While the latter approach would save tax dollars and likely afford Milton’s skaters more inexpensive ice time, I believe that my legislation promises greater financial benefits to the Town.”

Senator Joyce also made available a letter he received from Rob McBride, President of FMC Sports, outlining the key provisions that would likely be in a long term agreement between the town and a third party firm that specializes in the field of ice sports.

Change in control of a public sports amenity is always a concern. Cost of access and level of availability being the primary worries. Senator Joyce’s letter along with that of commissioner Sullivan address those worries. Please see “Related links” for the full text of these letters as well as the FMC Ice Sports letter outlining possible rink management terms, a white paper from the Pointer Institute on third party management of public rinks, and Phillip Matthews’s “Milton View” commentary on the subject.

Related links:

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