Submitted by Mark D. Fichtel, Byram
I urge the BET to approve funding only for the design phase of the “flip” plan, and not the request by the First Selectman, the Department of Public Works, and Parks and Recreation to fund both the design and construction phases of the “flip” plan now.
My reasons are:
- Though almost everyone wants the DHSR replaced, the 2026 plan replaces a modest neighborhood rink with a massively expanded arena that will dramatically change the character and ambiance of Morlot Park and the surrounding neighborhood.
- Based on KG&D 2019 estimates, updated for inflation, a simple upgrade of the DHSR would likely cost between $10 million and $20 million, depending on the number of locker rooms and amenities.
- The “flip” plan, which in January 2025 had an estimate of $24 million, now has an estimate of $41 million, and that is hedged as being “rough order of magnitude,” which virtually guarantees higher numbers.
- The “flip” layout, as recently as last week, still appears to be in flux, which should raise serious questions about real eventual costs, and no construction funds should be allotted until the final layout is finalized.
- It is not clear that the 2026 “flip” plan’s $41 million includes sufficient funds for completely covering Morlot Park with new topsoil, as well as rock blasting, retaining walls, roads, geothermal wells and associated transmission lines, and restoration of the ball field and green space, and no rational person would approve spending $41 million without that detail.
- There is no analysis of what operating costs and revenue will be, which is especially important since the DHSR’s largest user, the Greenwich Skating Club, has reduced their use of the DHSR by 45% because they now use Wings Arena.
- Do not let the refrain of the “flip” supporters that “delays have resulted in massive cost increases” push you to a decision before the issues above are addressed, because these “massive increases” are there only because apples (replacement with a rink) are being compared to oranges (replacement with an arena).
- Finally, it seems as if voting to fund the full $41 million at this juncture, rather than the smaller amount to do the A&E work, is contrary to the normal process where the design work is funded, and only after that is construction funding approved, and for spending of this magnitude, consolidating the process is questionable.
Mark D. Fichtel
Though I’m a member of the RTM from District 4, the letter is from my position as a private Greenwich citizen.