Ralph Walker Rink To Reopen This Month

This is a joke. This rink is over budget and behind schedule and it's still not done. And no, it was not a two phase. The Albertus piece is not finished and it was supposed to be so that end of the rink is as of the other day, still open and incomplete as is the parking lot.

Once again Engineer Zinn, underestimated the time and materials and just performed poorly. Once again, the city had no money to just pay for it - because we're broke beggars always looking for a handout because City Hall can't manage its money. In fact, the disrepair of the old rink is because DeStefano/Harp wouldn't keep it repaired and up to date. Like our schools, at some point, they just are functionally obsolete.

What's worse, is that Harp was going to shutter a rink that draws people from all over the city. To not know this is remarkable.

One final note: Ice Rink professionals say its stupid to open a rink at great cost with the season so short. It will not bring in enough revenue to cover the start up costs. This is just another CYA moment by the Harp House. It must be exhausting.

@Noteworthy

Remember the joke about DeStefano? Somebody gave him a puck and he spent an hour trying to open it. I'm actually surprised that the city is actually following with something. I'm so used to things disappearing with nothing to replace them. It should have been renovated years ago, and without Albertus Magnus the rink would have been closed permanently. Especially considering that there are no apartments next door, and they wouldn't want the plebs mixing in with the "urban pioneers" or whatever they're calling themselves this week.

In any event, think I'm going to get my skates sharpened and test out the ice next week.

Is there any transparency on a budget? where is this information available?

I am very happy that the Ralph Walker Ice Rink is reopening. It was a great melting pot of New Haven residents being active and enjoying themselves. The renovated rink will be bigger and better than the old rink and available for recreational use, figure skating, and hockey. There is great demand for hockey ice time and this rink could be heavily used by teams from around the region. New Haven is one of the few local school districts that does not have high school hockey, but with a new rink it town, perhaps that will change.

Even if the process was imperfect, the rink will open soon. Opening for a few weeks will allow the city to ensure that the new equipment is functioning properly before they close for the season. This is a long term investment in city infrastructure and NOT to open it now would be foolish. It is easy to criticize the process, but look at the positive benefits it will have for residents and the neighborhood. Go skate and have some fun.