The administration of Mayor James Davis is seeking to take over control of the Richard L. Korpi Ice Rink from the Bayonne Board of Education in order to make repairs and keep the facility open for city teams and community use.
Davis announced the city plans to negotiate with the Board of Education to purchase outright the local ice rink currently owned by the BBOE.
“This rink is a staple of the Bayonne community,” Davis said. “The primary concern here is for many kids and families that enjoy this facility. It is really about them, and making sure that they have a place to go.”
On the campus of Bayonne High School, the facility is in the center of the quadrangle behind the tennis courts, near 28th Street and Newark Bay. It opened in 1986.
The Bayonne High School graduation was held there last year and in previous years.
Maintenance of the rink has been a hot topic between the school and the city since last year, according to Davis Chief of Staff Andrew Casais.
“This rink is a staple of the Bayonne community.” – Mayor James Davis
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“The conversation quickly changed from if to when major repairs needed to be made, how, and on what timetable,” Casais said.
Upgrades include a new compressor system, piping, and backboards.
There are no cost estimates yet, Casais said. But they range from about $1.5 million to $2 million.
“This amount would be bonded by the city pending successful negotiations between the city and the school district,” he said. “The final cost figure will be determined based on the specifications and results of the statutory bidding process.”
Community members are concerned. Bayonne High School Hockey Program leaders recently sent a letter to parents and supporters, urging them to attend the March 19 meeting of the Board of Education.
They said that if repairs were not made this summer, in the offseason, the rink might be shut down permanently.
“Minimizing the disruption of services is really the goal,” Davis said. “The city is ready and willing to take on the responsibility of operations, and conducting all necessary repairs and upgrades to the facility.”
On March 18, the City Council authorized the negotiations for the rink purchase. A final agreement or contract would need to be ratified and approved by the City Council, according to Casais. A concurring resolution was adopted by the Bayonne Board of Education at its own regular meeting the next day, on March 19.
Davis said on March 20 that one of the main concerns about leaving the rink in the hands of the Board of Education was how it would affect the school tax rate.
“The Board of Education would have to raise taxes in order to pay to fix the rink,” he said. “We can go out and get grant money, open space money, and we wouldn’t have to have an ongoing impact on the taxpayers of Bayonne.”
No disruption
The city would like to have the rink renovated and ready for the next hockey season, which begins in October.
“We want no impact on Board of Education and sports programs,” Davis said. “Our goal is to have it open 12 months a year. I intend to have it open all year round for the community.” By acquiring the rink, the mayor wants the same arrangement it has with Don Ahern Veterans Memorial Stadium, with the city owning the facility, but the school district being the prime beneficiary of it.
In agreement
The Board of Education agrees with the city on the action it’s taking.
“We are working together to provide a service to the citizens of Bayonne,” said Assistant Superintendent/Business Administrator Leo Smith Jr. “This is used by the whole town. We’re happy the city is coming to our rescue.”
Smith confirmed that the city has an easier bonding mechanism with which to work. He also said the board was governed by a 2-percent cap on a tax increase, and would have to put the matter up for referendum if that plateau was breeched.
The school district would still run the ice rink, and use it for classes and its teams, according to Smith. The city would control the rink, and it would be open to resident activities.
“So it’s a positive for the community,” he said. “It’s nice to be working in conjunction with them, rather than adversarially.”
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.