Submitted by Mark Fichtel, RTM district 4, whose opinion was submitted in his personal capacity
Following up on my prior letter, (Fichtel: Reject task force recommendation for new ice skating rink using “flip” option Jan 26, 2026) here are additional reasons why the Camillo Rink Committee recommendations should be rejected:
This document is following the rule that defines insanity: “Keep trying the same thing over and over and expect a different result.” The RTM has consistently rejected earlier iterations of the “flip” and should do so again.
The report’s statement that the “Estimated Cost [is] $40 Million (Order of Magnitude)” is very concerning, since “order of magnitude” is defined as “something increased by factors of 10.” This language should be a clear warning that requests for “additional funding” will be sure to come, which guarantees Greenwich will continue its record of grossly underestimating the cost of capital projects.
Though the report, in Appendix A, states “Cost estimates and Phase 1 Environmental Impact Study-Completed,” the cavalier “Estimated Cost [is] $40 Million (Order of Magnitude)” statement belies that assertion, as does the next statement that admits a consultant still has to be vetted and hired.
My previous letter stated that the committee’s report “cost numbers [were] slanted to confirm the recommendation.” Evidence of that is Appendix C, “escalation of trade costs,” estimated at 9.8% for the favored choice of the committee vs. 17.7% for those not favored, or “builder contingencies” that are 5% for the favored vs. 7% for the disfavored. Further, unexplained different parking arrangements, much more expensive for the disfavored locations, are shown.
The committee recommends that most of the heating and cooling for the new rink, as well as for surrounding buildings, should be done with geothermal systems, despite Greenwich’s experience with such systems having, so far, proven expensive and unsuccessful. The report cites no independent, reputable geothermal consulting or construction firm for its assertions about numbers, bedrock suitability, or well holes, and the list of “Notes and Caveats” at the end is truly daunting.
The report skips past the disruption to the environment and the quiet of the neighborhood that constructing a 40,000 square foot rink, building the already-approved 4-storey Vinci Gardens, and putting in geothermal well holes, will cause when rock ledge blasting, drilling, and tree clear-cutting begin.
To repeat: Make no mistake that what is being proposed will take a local park and neighborhood ice rink, and turn the ice rink into a regional go-to destination, which will destroy the character of the Byram neighborhood that currently exists. Find someplace else or partner with Wings.