Parents hot over closing of ice rink

By Nancy Lowry
New Castle News

Fri, May 16 2008

— Plans to close Hess Ice Rink for maintenance this summer have created a big chill between parents and Neshannock officials.
John DiCola, the township’s public services director and elected supervisor, last night arranged to meet this morning with Renee Silverman, representing parents of figure skaters, to resolve the matter.
DiCola said both sides should be prepared to look for ways to compromise.
Silverman, speaking last night on behalf of about 14 people who attended the meeting, said the parents had planned to continue a summer program began last year.
The problem, she and others said, has been poor communications with Hess Ice Rink director Rick Pearsall, who has not yet approved the summer schedule presented to him.
“We’ve been frustrated by the delays,” she said.
The program is scheduled to begin June 9. The parents said they have tried to resolve the issue since April.
Pearsall submitted a letter of resignation April 24, then rescinded it on Tuesday.
Supervisor chairman Gale Measel Jr. said officials have discussed the situation.
“The skaters are an integral part of the program and why we built the rink,” he said. “We want to accommodate you.”
But he also said maintenance is needed.
The 17-year-old rink is slated to close for five to six weeks of maintenance, which will include work on the Zamboni and floor, painting and replacing the dasher boards that line the ice surface, supervisor Ralph Sheen Jr. said after the meeting.
The rink is expected to close early in June and reopen the second week of July.
“Ideally, we’d like to find a schedule to get this work done and still allow them to use the facility,” Sheen said.
He added the figure skaters are not competing with any other group for ice time, noting they plan to use the rink four days a week, eight hours a day.
“We would like to find a contractor who would agree to work on weekends and for the 10-day period around July 4 when no one will be there,” he said. “I hope we can work things out.”