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The downtown ice rink can be bigger than the 40 by 70 foot rink discussed by members of the BID management association and the Riverhead Town Board at Thursday's work session.
BID board member Martin Sendlewski, an architect, met with BIDMA president Ray Pickersgill and board member John Mantzopoulos Friday afternoon to measure and mark the site again. They decided the synthetic-ice surface can be 48 feet by 90 feet, and still allow enough room for a pavilion and patio/landscaping around the pavilion, without having to relocate the existing public restroom facility. The facility would mean losing nine parking spaces currently in that location.
The rink/pavilion would be built mostly within the existing driveway that runs north-south to the riverfront drive, in back of the buildings on the south side of East Main Street. Vehicles would still be able to enter the south side parking lot via the driveway next to the Riverhead Diner and Grill, but they would have to turn left or right into the parking lots on either side. They would not be able to proceed straight to the riverfront drive that connects Peconic Avenue on the west with McDowell Avenue on the east.
The foundation of the rink would be elevated about three feet above grade, Sendlewski said, in part because of the regular ponding and flooding of the area. The rink would be surrounded by a 30-inch high block wall, topped by a cap to provide seating around the perimeter of the rink. The pavilion itself would be a wood laminate prefabricated structure.
Sendlewski said if the town board authorizes publication of the bid notice at its next regular meeting, the rink/pavilion could be finished and ready to open by early next spring. He said it was unrealistic to expect an earlier date, given time constraints imposed by legal bid requirements and board meetings.
"We won't be skating here until next winter," Sendlewski said, adding that the facility would be available as an entertainment venue next spring and summer.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
