Facelift for Smithfield Ice Rink Continues

Users of the Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink can expect to see more changes in the upcoming year, according to Recreation Director Thomas J. Tullie.

During a recent phone interview, Tullie explained there are several capital improvement projects "on the list" for fiscal 2014, which begins July 1.

A new garage for the rink's Zamboni machine; new paint for the interior of the rink and its locker rooms; an upgraded sewer connection; and an oil-to-gas conversion for the facility's heating system are among the proposed upgrades.

Most of the work is planned to be completed as the rink maintains 360-day-a-year operations, he added.

"We do our best to work around the full-year schedule," Tullie said, noting that in his 12 years managing the rink, the longest it was ever closed was eight straight days for repairs.

In the past year, a new roof and heating system over the bleachers have been installed using revenue generated by the rink and without town funds.

Tullie also clarified a note in the fiscal 2014 budget proposal that said ice rink fees are expected to rise — in fact, the increase took effect in December, 2012, and fees are not expected to go up again in the upcoming fiscal year.

The last hike was from a per-hour rate of $185 to $190, which leaves Smithfield among the lowest-priced rinks in the state, Tullie explained.

"We try to keep costs down as much as possible for the organizations that use our rink," Tullie said. "We're at $190 now — that will maintain the improvements as well as keep our expenses low."

According to town budget documents, the increase is expected to raise about $12,000 over the current fiscal year, bringing the revenue from use fees to about $519,000.

Overall, the spending plan for 2014 shows the ice rink's budget dropping from $725,069 to $716,110 — mainly through a reduction in office supply costs and about an $8,000 drop in the maintenance and supply line item.