Several Byram residents are pushing back against the proposed Dorothy Hamill Rink project, seeking to halt its progress in its current form. The project, which recently received Municipal Improvement (MI) status, faces scrutiny as residents appeal to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for reconsideration.
The Dorothy Hamill Rink project, aimed at replacing the aging facility built in 1972, has stirred controversy among Byram residents. The proposed plan involves constructing a new 40,671-square-foot ice rink at Strazza Field, north of the existing rink, within Eugene Morlot Memorial Park. Once operational, the old rink would be demolished to make way for a new baseball diamond.
Residents Liz Eckert, Joseph Kantorski, Al Shehadi, and Lucy Von Brachel have formally requested the RTM to review the MI status granted by the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission. Their concerns center around increased traffic, congestion, and the potential loss of green space due to the project’s scale and location.
In December 2022, a similar appeal led the RTM to revoke MI status for an intersection improvement project, effectively halting its progress. The RTM is set to examine the latest referral during its meeting on January 21.
Opponents argue that the project lacks adequate community outreach and fails to align with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). They urge the RTM to reject the current proposal and demand a revised plan that incorporates community feedback and addresses environmental concerns.
Proponents of the rink project face additional challenges with rising costs. The current budget outlines $980,000 for design and planning in fiscal year 2026 and $23 million for construction in fiscal year 2027. However, the First Selectman’s Rink User Committee for Design and Planning indicates that the proposed budget includes $1.2 million for design work and an estimated $24 million for construction, with a potential completion date in mid-2028.
As the debate over the Dorothy Hamill Rink project continues, the RTM’s decision will play a crucial role in determining the project’s future. Residents and town officials alike await the outcome of the January 21 meeting, which could reshape the plans for this significant community development.
