Ristuccia Sale to Town Blocked by Judge

The town of Wilmington is going to have a fight on its hands if it still wants to purchase Ristuccia Arena after a judge has temporarily barred the rink owner from selling the facility to the town.

Last month, lawyers for rink manager Bob Rotondo and owner Bernard Ristuccia, Jr. went before a judge in Middlesex Superior Court arguing for and against an injunction as Rotondo is looking to purchase the property.

Now, a Middlesex Superior Court judge allowed the injunction which temporarily bars Ristuccia Jr. from selling the facility to the town of Wilmington, the Lowell Sun is reporting.

Rotondo’s lawyer had argued Rotondo had the right of first refusal to purchase the property if it was for sale. Ristuccia’s lawyer said the rink owner hadn’t established intent to sell, according to the Sun.

Rotondo has offered to purchase the rink for $1.85 million, the Town Crier is reporting.

The injunction allows the case between the two to more forward, while not allowing the property to be sold until the case is resolved or the court makes a decision, according to the Lowell Sun.

In late May, Wilmington Town Manager Jeff Hull told selectmen Rotondo Enterprises informed Wilmington High School’s Athletic Director Ed Harrison that the teams would no longer be given ice time come fall, after Rotondo expressed interest in purchasing the rink.

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 had yet to move on a bid before Rontondo and Ristuccia headed to court in late May.

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