Ristuccia Rink Battle Heats Up, Heads to Court

Looks like there was more than meets the eye last month when high school teams were notified they wouldn’t have ice time at Ristuccia in the fall and officials learned the current management of the facility may be looking to purchase the rink.

Lawyers for rink manager Bob Rotondo and owner Bernard Ristuccia, Jr. went before a judge in Middlesex Superior Court Tuesday arguing for and against an injunction as the manager is looking to purchase the property, the Lowell Sun is reporting.

According to the report, the arguments in court centered on the interpretations of an option in the contract between the two. No decision was reached and the judge took the decision under advisement.

Late last month, Rotondo, the rink’s current manager, expressed interest in purchasing the rink, seeking to exercise the Right of First Refusal provision in their lease agreement with rink owner Ristuccia.

In December, Wilmington Special Town Meeting voted to allow the town to make a bid to purchase the rink. Originally, the bid was expected to be made in early June, but the town has yet to move on a bid.

Related Articles:

• WHS Hockey Teams Told No Ice Time at Ristuccia This Fall
• Should Ristuccia Purchase Decision be Repealed?
• Special Town Meeting Approves Purchase of Ristuccia Arena
• Ristuccia Arena Purchase to be Decided Thursday Night
• Should Wilmington Buy Ristuccia Arena?
• Special Town Meeting Warrant Released: Will Town Meeting Decide to Purchase Ristuccia Arena?
• On the Agenda: Wilmington Selectmen to Discuss Special Town Meeting for Ristuccia Purchase