The Boothbay ice rink may have a new home this winter.  During the Oct. 11 selectmen’s meeting, town officials and Boothbay Civic Association discussed moving the 130-foot by 70-foot rink to the Boothbay Common.  The rink has been at the fire station and maintained by the BCA for 12 years.

In recent years, town officials and residents have contemplated moving it to the more visible Boothbay Common location. But no formal discussion had taken place until now. The two parties moved toward formal discussions following a Joint Economic Development Committee meeting earlier this month. While the committee considered ways of extending the Festival of Lights, members revived talk about how a lighted Boothbay ice rink would complement Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ “Gardens Aglow” which drew 78,000 guests last year.

Selectmen and BCA members agreed a move this year was in the community’s best interest. BCA member Lincoln Erhard volunteered to paint an outline either on Oct. 14 to 15 in preparation for building a temporary rink this winter. However, several logistical details need consideration before a Boothbay Common ice rink is a reality. The selectmen scheduled an Oct. 25 public discussion for working out the details.

Selectman Steve Lewis thought the concept of a Boothbay Common ice rink made sense. “Just imagine the sight of people coming from Gardens Aglow, at night, seeing people skating on a lit rink. I can’t imagine a better sight for the 70,000-plus visitors to see that in the middle of town,” Lewis said.

Erhard has participated in organizing the community rink at the fire station for years. He made several recommendations for constructing a temporary rink, including leveling and re-sodding the Common. This would create a flat ice surface. He also proposed purchasing equipment for temperature control. Erhard advised purchasing or renting a chiller, which maintains ice temperature, and a Quonset hut, which would keep sunlight from hitting the surface.

But the BCA can’t finance these. The association has financed past rink maintenance and insurance costs through local donations and bottle redemption. The two parties discussed using a public financing mechanism. Tax Increment Financing District funds were discussed as a possible revenue source, but town officials weren’t sure the proposal qualified for TIF dollars. Selectman Chuck Cunningham reported a previous attempt for a Clifford Park project failed. 

“It has to be used for economic development, and right here, in the Department of Economic Community and Development handbook, it says recreational facilities and municipal buildings are prohibited,” he said. But Selectman Dale Harmon believed DECD approval hinged upon how the request was made.

“I think it’s all in the wording. This is for economic development, and if we word it right, it might make all the difference,” Harmon said. Selectmen will seek a DECD opinion regarding TIF funding for inclusion in the public discussion in two weeks.

If TIF funds aren’t available, then another local private source might be. BCA members indicated local businessman Paul Coulombe had expressed interest in supporting a Boothbay Common ice rink.  The members cited an Oct. 5 Boothbay Register article where Coulombe said he was excited about working with the town and BCA on a proposed Boothbay Common ice rink.  But no BCA member had spoken with Coulombe about his potential involvement. The article reported if TIF funding wasn’t available, Coulombe would possibly put a rink on his own land near the Common.

Coulombe didn't attend the selectmen's meeting, but he will attend the one in two weeks. He wants to work with the town and BCA because he believes ice skating is an ideal family activity during a time when there's not a lot to do in town. He agrees with others who view the location as picturesque scene for drawing more people to the region during the Festival of Lights.

"My hope is that the Boothbay Civic Association will take the lead on moving the location of the skating rink to the Common, which would provide for greater visibility and increased use. I am open to assisting with this endeavor,” he wrote in a Friday email to the Boothbay Register.

Selectmen decided to seek more information about a Boothbay Common ice rink and hold the public discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 in the municipal conference room.