Weymouth to Celebrate Grand Re-Opening of Connell Rink & Pool with Charlie Coyle, August 10th

Grand Re-Opening of Connell Rink & Pool with Charlie Coyle August 10th

On August 10th, 2019 Mayor Hedlund will be joined by Weymouth native and member of the Boston Bruins, Charlie Coyle, for the Grand Re-Opening of the Connell Rink & Pool beginning at 11:00AM. The Grand Re-Opening will formally celebrate the rink and pool management and operation transition from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to the Town of Weymouth.

The ceremony will feature welcome and introductions from Mayor Hedlund, the singing of the national anthem by Todd Angilly, statements from DCR Deputy Commissioner for Recreation and Operations Nicholas Gove, and conclude with statements from Charlie Coyle as well as other former and current Weymouth NHL players, including Paul Carey, Bobby Sheehan and Tim Sweeney.

WHO:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Robert L. Hedlund

Charlie Coyle – Weymouth native & member of Boston Bruins

Paul Carey – Weymouth native & member of Boston Bruins

Tim Sweeney, Bob Sheehan, Jim Carey – Weymouth natives & former NHL players

Nicholas Gove – Department of Conservation & Recreation

Members of the State Legislature

Weymouth Town Council

Weymouth Youth Hockey

Weymouth Recreation Swim Team

 

WHEN:

 

Saturday August 10th at 11:00AM

 

WHERE:

 

 

Connell Rink & Pool

220 Broad Street

Weymouth, MA 02188

In early 2018, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Mayor Hedlund along with his staff engaged in discussions to transition the management and operations of the Connell Rink & Pool to the Town. This year-long process culminated in May of 2019 when the Weymouth Town Council unanimously approved the final lease agreement between the Town and DCR.  The facility will be managed and staffed by the Weymouth Recreation Department allowing for greater input over programming and prioritization of Town use. The Recreation Department has plans to improve pool and rink attendance as the facility has been historically underutilized. New programs will be rolled out for the pool including swim lessons, family swim lessons, and adult/senior programs. In addition, Weymouth Youth Hockey, who was involved in early discussions about facility use, will see expanded opportunity to reserve ice time. Overall, the new management and oversight will allow for prioritization of town-wide and public recreation programs.

Mayor Hedlund and his administration’s primary focus while considering the deal with the DCR was making sure the Town was well protected legally and financially, which was achieved with the final agreement, and ensuring improved opportunities for Weymouth citizens and user groups.

The Grand Re-Opening ceremony on August 10th will acknowledge the success of Weymouth youth sports through the presence of local Weymouth hockey players who are former or currently in the NHL as well as members of the Weymouth Youth Hockey association and Weymouth Recreation Swim Team. In addition, it will commemorate the exchange of management operations as the Weymouth Recreation Department takes over at the memorial rink & pool.