...public comment generally centered on one item of the upgrade --- ice. Earlier Huntington’s Council had broadened a $300,000 ice hockey upgrade as an “infrastructure” upgrade, which could include ice skating or ice hockey, but does not commit the city to either option.Having McClelland on board with this was huge--as I relayed from Bill Sawyers last night, his comments "drained the color from Steve Williams's face".
Public comment honed more on the skating option as well as the ability to books shows such as “Disney on Ice” or “Ice Capades.”
Roger Smith told council “if we have an ice skating facility, it makes another destination downtown. You would be surprised at the (community) commitment to public skating.”
Jim McClelland ,retired director of the Huntington Parks and Recreation Commission, told council that he’s interested in public recreation not offered in Huntington and the surrounding area. Previously, a speaker said that ice skaters have to travel to Charleston, WV or Athens, Ohio.
McClelland said that if economically viable “ice skating brings in more than hockey.” Noting that he once managed some of the largest outdoor ice skating facilities in the United States, McClelland noted that “ice hockey is affordable, family friendly recreation.”
Council Finance Director Steve Williams acknowledged the encouraging public comments regarding ice skating.
“Now, let’s see how the [possible $300,000 ice expenditure] creates a value proposition for the city and adds the civic arena as a destination,” Williams said.
Oh, one little bit of trivia--Roger Smith at one point was an interested party in putting a new hockey team in town earlier in the decade. Eenterresteengg...
BTW, the Herald-Dispatch has a story, but it's "print-only"--if someone can relay that over to me, please do. Elsewise this page will be a couple days behind on it. Sorry kids :^P
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