Framingham Town Meeting To Debate, Vote on $5.7 Million Loring Arena Upgrade Tonight

Built in 1963, Loring Arena is in need of a $5.7 million face lift according to town officials.

The Town of Framingham hockey rink, under the Parks and Recreation Department, has limited handicapped accessibility and does not have adequate space for both boys and girls hockey teams. When built, more than 50 years ago, girls sports did not have the popularity it has today. There is no dedicated boys and girls locker rooms - just a locker room.

The rink is used by hockey teams of all ages from Framingham youth, to high school teams, to Framingham State University teams to adults leagues. The Town of Framingham makes money by charging out of town and the University’s team to use the ice.

The $5.7 million renovations to the rink are included in the $19 million capital budget request of the town’s chief financial officer will be discussed. The capital budget requests are article 12 of the Annual Town Meeting warrant and will likely be voted on at night 3 of Framingham Town Meeting tonight, May 1.

Editor’s Note: Framingham Patch will be live blogging during tonight’s Town Meeting. Patch has been live blogging each session of Town Meeting since the community news site was launched in December 2010.

The $5.7 million renovations also will remove asbestos and lead paint from the rink and replace the original boiler.

Framingham’s CFO Mary Ellen Kelley has estimated the project would cost taxpayers about $325, including interest to borrow the funds over the 20-year period. That averages out to about $16 per year.

Framingham Selectmen gave their support to the project in December 2014.

Framingham’s Finance Committee voted to support the project, as did the Capital Budget Committee of Framingham Town Meeting.

The rink is used from about 5 a.m. to after 11 p.m. from October through April each year.

Besides hockey programs, Framingham Parks & Recreation offers learn to skate programs, at a fee to Framingham families, plus public skating throughout the season.

Editor’s Note: Attached to the report is the drawings of what the first and second floor renovations would look like post construction.