Gov. Presents Greenport Mayor With $1.2M For New, Permanent Ice Rink

GREENPORT, NY — A new day is set to dawn for the ice rink at Mitchell Park in Greenport.

For years, the ice rink, which was initially created with an eye toward drawing visitors to the village during the winter months, had often remained closed both due to warmer temperatures and desperately needed, costly repairs.

Recently, Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Greenport to announce a $1.2 million investment to support the construction of a brand-new outdoor ice rink at Mitchell Park. Hochul presented a check to Mayor Kevin Stuessi, "underscoring the state’s commitment to revitalizing this key community asset," the governor said.

The original ice rink at Mitchell Park, which opened in 2005, was celebrated as the first publicly owned rink on Long Island since the construction of Nassau Coliseum, Hochul said.

However, after nearly two decades, the rink had fallen into disrepair, leading to the rink's closure on many winter days during recent years — and leaving many parents whose children utilized the rink for hockey programs crying out for answers.

The new rink, "a critical component of Greenport’s efforts to enhance local infrastructure and promote economic activity during the winter months", will replace the original temporary structure and serve as a "vibrant hub" for local residents and visitors, Hochul said.

"Greenport’s Mitchell Park is not only a cherished recreational space but also an economic driver for the village," said Hochul. "By investing in this new ice rink, we are ensuring that the park continues to thrive as a gathering place for families and a source of wintertime enjoyment for years to come."

Stuessi added: "As one of the first on Long Island to sign up for the Governor’s pro-housing initiative, we are thrilled with this wonderful gift to our village to help build community and business year-round. We look forward to opening the ice rink in time for celebrating the 25th anniversary of Mitchell Park and America’s 250th Birthday."

The $1.2 million in state funding will contribute to the estimated $1.7 million total cost for the engineering and construction of the new ice rink, officials said.

Once completed, the rink is expected to play a "significant role in boosting winter tourism and supporting local youth sports programs, reinforcing Greenport’s status as a year-round destination," officials added.

Stuessi told Patch: "It’s going to be great fun to open a permanent ice rink in what started long ago under Mayor David Kapell and former Village Administrator Dave Abatelli who, at the suggestion of Jacqueline Copas, who owned The Rhumb Line, used bunch of hay bales in an oval — and a hose to fill it with water to freeze for skating."

The village is also embarking upon other critical infrastructure improvements at Mitchell Park and the marina, including rebuilding the marina bulkhead, enhancing stormwater management systems, and adding ADA accessibility to the park’s historic cultural walking paths, Hochul said.

As the only state-certified disadvantaged community on the East End, "Greenport’s efforts to modernize and preserve its public spaces are essential to its continued economic vitality," the governor said. The ice rink investment marks a significant step forward in theose efforts, ensuring that Greenport remains a "vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community," she said.