By JOHN HOWELL On the eve of the 2020 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships hosted by the Warwick Figure Skaters at the Dunkin' Donut Center in Providence, Mayor Joseph J. Solomon revealed he is exploring the construction of a third ice skating rink at
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On the eve of the 2020 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships hosted by the Warwick Figure Skaters at the Dunkin’ Donut Center in Providence, Mayor Joseph J. Solomon revealed he is exploring the construction of a third ice skating rink at the Mickey Stevens Sports Complex.
Speaking about how Warwick’s two rinks are being used for practice by skating teams from across the country in preparation for the competition opening today, Solomon pointed out that the Thayer Arena and adjoining Warbuton rink are in constant demand and said he wants to explore the feasibility of an additional rink.
“Who knows, we may see another rink,” he said at his weekly press meeting with the Warwick Beacon.
He said that coming from a “business background,” he sees a “doubled-sided benefit” to building another rink. Apart from meeting the demand for more ice time and as a venue for other events – Thayer has been used for dog shows and roller derbies – he envisions the additional facility as an attraction to regional hockey and figure skating tournaments and competitions that would bring people to Warwick and the city’s hotels.
He said he would look to see if a third rink could generate sufficient revenue “to sustain itself” and perhaps produce a surplus.
Solomon sees a third rink as an element to a larger sports complex at Mickey Stevens, including a turf football field that would become the home field for both Toll Gate and Pilgrim high schools. The mayor first proposed a “central” field for the two schools when the City Council approved a $56 million school improvements bond.
Council President Steve Merolla suggested including new fields for the two schools for an additional $10 million. The fields, however, were not included in the bond, as the School Committee is in the process of exploring the future of the high schools that would be the subject of a separate bond.
The 2020 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships will be held Feb. 27-29 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. More than 1,600 figure skaters from 93 of the top synchronized skating teams in the nation will vie for eight U.S. titles at the juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, collegiate, adult and masters divisions.
It is the final qualifying event before U.S. Figure Skating selects the 2020 World Synchronized Skating Team. The 2020 World Junior Synchronized Skating Team was named prior to the start of U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, with the Skyliners and Teams Elite selected to represent Team USA.
Teams from Delaware, Chicago and Rochester, Michigan, were practicing Wednesday afternoon at Thayer in preparation for the competition starting today at 1:50 p.m. with the novice free skate. Senior-level competition begins Friday, Feb. 28 with the short program at 4:54 p.m.
NBC Sports Gold will provide live and on-demand coverage of all senior, junior and collegiate events to Figure Skating Pass subscribers. All juvenile, intermediate, novice, adult and masters footage will be available live on the U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone. The Fan Zone will also feature event recaps throughout the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, according to a release.
The U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships is seen as having a direct economic impact of $2.8 million on the state, drawing approximately 7,500 people to the state including competitors, family members and spectators. Many of the teams are staying in Providence hotels, but in addition four Warwick hotels with a total of 800 hotel room nights have been booked for the event.
This is the third time in 12 years that the Warwick Figure Skaters has served as the host club for the national event.
Providence is hosting the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships for the fifth time in the events 36-year history. The city last hosted the event in 2015 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center and also played host in 2008, 1994 and 1989.
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO Kristen Adamo, RI Sports Commission Executive Director John Gibbons and Warwick Figure Skaters President Jack McGinn gathered at the Dunk Wednesday afternoon to welcome competitors.
“We are excited to welcome the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships and all of the participants to the Creative Capital,” said Mayor Elorza. “From our incredible artistic scene to our world-renowned restaurants, we hope athletes and spectators alike from across the country will enjoy all Providence has to offer during what are certain to be exciting championship events.”
“Our city is excited to welcome the hundreds of talented skaters participating in the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, as well as their families and loved ones,” said Mayor Solomon. “While using our top-notch athletic facilities for practice during the competition week, I hope the athletes and their families explore our great city, visit some of Warwick’s fantastic shops and restaurants, and enjoy our city’s 39 miles of coastline. I wish each and every participant the best of luck and extend my sincerest congratulations on earning a spot in this prestigious event.”
For additional event information or to purchase tickets, visit ussynchrochampionships.com. To follow the event on Twitter, follow U.S. Figure Skating (@USFigureSkating) and use the event hashtag #SynchroChamps.
7 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Jsimmy230
Joe, if you want to build another rink, YOU AND YOUR RICH FRIENDS, LIKE JOE PAOLINO, SHOULD SPEND YOUR MONEY ON IT, NOT OURS. WE HAVE TO MUCH DEBT NOW. GIVE IT A REST, AND JUST DO WHAT WE NEED ONLY. PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, GARBAGE COLLECTION. If this type of facility "can sustain itself", which is bullshit and you know it, the leave it to private developers only. You have enough problems just running what we have now. So try to stay focused on that. PLEASE !
Thursday, February 27, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Hey Johnny Sweat Pants-Why don't you donate some of your TAX FREE phony disability pension from the Providence Police Dept. toward the constitution of a new ice rink.
Friday, February 28, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
FAKE NAME COWARD .... Give real name, meet me, and I'll be glad to do that.
Friday, February 28, 2020 Report this
bendover
Talk about misplaced priorities...I will agree to this new rink the day Jabba the Hut skates to the middle of Thayer arena and does a triple sow cow...Other than that....Forget about it...We have bigger fish to fry...Warwick is being led by a ship of fools.
Friday, February 28, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
All POLITICIANS are COWARDS afraid to take on the unions. They are bought and paid for union hacks. The silent majority of taxpayers, that don't bother to vote or show up at Council meetings, need to get off their ass and get involved. Only then do the rest of us have a chance of changing things. It isn't the Unions fault. Their job is to fight to get as much as possible for their members. It is the POLITICIANS fault for giving in to their demands. Until people wake up and get involved , by using their numbers at the ballot box, nothing will change!
Friday, February 28, 2020 Report this
Thecaptain
Here is another example of Joe's lack of knowledge. When Thayer Arena and McDermott pool were built they were designed and built as taxpayer privileges with the knowledge that they were not designed to generate revenue, in fact, for decades they lost revenue. Now he wants to use them specifically as a revenue generating business? Great that they are booked and bringing in customers. I would like to see the balance sheet after all overhead is accounted for.
Friday, February 28, 2020 Report this
thepilgrim
And why should tax payers foot this bill?
Sunday, March 1, 2020 Report this