Skating on Thin Ice: Could HVCC’s Iconic Ice Rink Soon Disappear?
By Isabella Smarro, Managing Editor
Hudson Valley Community College is known for its sports. Basketball, baseball and even bowling. For years, hockey has also been a mainstay.
For years, the Conway Ice Rink has been a common meetup for members of the community. On top of hockey events, the rink has also been a place for locals to take their families, as the rink has been opened to the mainstream public for years.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the ice skating rink found on campus has been completely closed. Now, the future of the Conway Ice rink may virtually be on the ice.
The Student Senate class of 2021 discussed in their final meeting in May the potential for the incoming board to take down the ice skating rink and put a new gym in its place.
Many students and faculty have praised the idea, as some in the athletic department believe extra space would be efficient. Others, however, weren’t too keen on the idea.
The Conway Ice rink officially opened in 1991 and includes over 18,000 square feet of ice, bleachers, and changing rooms. Before COVID, the annual income was about $150,000 a year. Most of that revenue was estimated to come from HVCC students and Troy residents at large.
“There are few ice rinks in our area, so the ice rink is a very popular destination for public skating and rental by area teams, clubs, etc. It serves thousands of students and visitors each year and is the home rink for two local high schools,” Dennis Kennedy, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing said.
Some of the staff last semester argued the current gym within the McDounagh Center, where the gym and ice rink are located was too small. Kennedy said that there is another option that would allow the ice to stay while also including a bigger gym.
“The college has purchased a turf flooring system that can be installed when the ice is not in season to maximize the use of the facility. The turf will provide more possibilities for Physical Education, Athletic programs and Community Education Summer Camps. In addition, this would be an added benefit to the community as the college could host youth baseball/softball, soccer, youth or LAX leagues and flag football,” Kennedy said.
The proposal would not only allow more gym space for students but would also include more space for private events like local high school graduation ceremonies.
Proponents of the plan fear however that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is deterring the chances of the ice rink’s survival. Especially with the McDounagh Center now serving a new purpose: vaccinating residents.
“During the pandemic, the New York National Guard assembled more than 10.4 million COVID-19 test kits at the college’s ice rink for delivery statewide to public testing sites, nursing homes, schools, universities and hospitals in just over a year. Seeking more space and better climate control, the operation relocated to the Conway Ice Rink in the McDonough Sports Complex in August 2020,” said Kennedy.
The Ice Skating Rink at Hudson Valley Community College has been closed to the public but is set to open up during October.
Kennedy said appreciation for the space has grown while relieved that there are options in place as well.
Despite recent developments, many are still optimistic that the ice rink’s long-standing impact may not melt away.