Marple's Hockey Rink Ready To Roll By Fall

BROOMALL–Eager roller hockey players can look forward to the fall for an anticipated construction project's completion.

's lone hockey rink at in Broomall is se to be completed and ready for hockey players by late Setptember, according to Marple Township Manager Anthony Hamaday.

According to Hamaday, the paving has been done and the area was stabilized with sod but the rink will have to wait for now, until the hot weather breaks off.

"We have to let it set for awhile before we get the contractor to install for the hockey rink, which we'll probably do after we break from this heat wave," explained Hamaday.

The rink was originally proposed for 180 feet by 82 feet but was shortened to 104 feet by 82 feet due to the installment of a basketball court there. According to Hamaday, the new shortened length of the rink is still larger than its original size.

"We shortened that to put in a basketball court in one of the corners of the paved area–a full court and two half courts in that area there," said Hamaday. "That area will be a dual purpose court."

Once the rink is completed, Hamaday said the installation of the basketball court will be next in which the nets, poles and basketball court has already been ordered.

Hamaday said the basketball courts may be installed in the spring in addition to a stone-paved walkway, fencing and clearing out the upper-wooded area in the park to make way for picnic tables and assuring that it's ADA (American Disabilities Act) accessible.

The entire cost of the project has been priced at $180,000, of which $100,000 will be covered by a grant for the hockey rink and the total cost to the township will be $80,000. In order to receive the grant, the .

Hamaday expects contractors to begin working on the installation of the rink in the next two weeks.