Curry College Wins Bid to Manage Ulin Rink

As long as negotiations run smoothly, Curry College will take over management of the Max Ulin Memorial Rink in time for its September 15 opening day. Curry was selected by a 2-1 vote by the Board of Selectmen last week over a community non-profit that was formed with the intent of managing the facility.

Thursday's executive session vote, which had Chair Marion McEttrick and member John Shields siding with Curry College and member Robert Sweeney picking the Ulin Rink Management Corp., approved Town Administrator Kevin Mearn and Town Counsel John Flynn to begin negotiations with the college.

Mearn said the Selectmen heavily weighed the proposals in two executive sessions and "painfully deliberated," before settling on Curry College. He anticipates a contract will be signed in the next few days or possibly into next week. If a contract can't be reached, negotiations with the Ulin Rink Management Corp. would begin.

The Selectmen were given price and non-price proposals from both groups that outlined the operation of the rink, its needs and how capital improvements would be made. Capital improvements that would need to be made include upgrades to energy efficiency.

The contract being negotiated now, would be a three-year operating permit. The Selectmen currently have a five-year permit, which they signed with the Department of Conservation and Recreation last month.

The Selectmen have long said a long-term lease would be favorable, and such legislation from both Senator Brian A. Joyce and Rep. Walter F. Timility has been proposed. Any action taken on Beacon Hill would override the permit.

"It's legally a three-year term unless the town gets a lease and then we'd go out to permit again," McEttrick said.

Curry College eventually won out, according to McEttrick, because of their financial assets.

"Curry College is a large organization that is currently operating well," McEttrick said. "They have assets to protect the town from deficits."

Sweeney, who has worked with Milton Youth Hockey and has run the Learn to Skate Program at the Ulin Rink for decades, saw no problem with the management group's funding.

"I just felt the community group would be able to get along financially," Sweeney said.

Sweeney's biggest concern was Curry's interest in its own programs. The college's men's hockey team calls Ulin Rink home. Milton Youth Hockey, Milton High School hockey and various other hockey programs also use the rink. Open skating hours are also required by the DCR.

"I'm just hoping things work out," said Sweeney. "Curry is a fine institution."

The group of residents that eventually formed the Ulin Rink Management Corp. was responsible for the town's initial interest in the DCR's original RFP to take over the rink, according to McEttrick. The group, which consists of businessmen and other residents experienced in rink management, brought forth ideas about running the rink in February when the DCR first posted an RFP.

Ulin Rink Management Corp. President Tim Kernan said he has plenty of questions at this point, but passed on making comment.

"I'm really trying to hold back until I have a meeting with the board tomorrow." Kernan said of a scheduled meeting with members of the group on Wednesday evening.