Grippen Park Ice Rink Season Cancelled

BINGHAMTON, NY - Broome County Public Works Commissioner Henry Weissmann announces that the Parks and Recreation Department has decided to cancel the 2005-2006 winter season at the Grippen Ice Skating Rink. The Parks Department has contacted the various groups that utilize the rink and notified them that the rink will not be available for skating this winter.

Weissmann says the Parks Department has set aside some skating time at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena and the Parks Department is in the process of contacting these groups to try to schedule that time. The Parks Department is also offering to assist the various groups with scheduling time at the other ice rinks in the community.

"It simply became clear that there are too many unanswered questions about the amount of rehabilitation that will be necessary in light of the recent flood damage experienced by the ice rink. In light of the damage and resulting leak, there may have to be remediation done as well," said Henry Weissmann, Broome County Public Works Commissioner. "We are also still working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the amount of damage we suffered and the amount of money FEMA would reimburse us. With all of these questions outstanding, it simply became necessary to notify the public that the winter season at the rink would have to be cancelled."

Weissmann says it is hoped Broome County would be back in the ice rink business by the 2006-2007 winter season. If anyone has any questions about the status of the ice rink or needs assistance with finding an alternate site to skate, they are asked to call the Broome County Parks Department at 607.778.2193.

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