Lace Up, Farmington: Ice Rink Construction's on a Fast Track

About 18 months after the Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) replaced grass in Riley Park, Bidigare Contracting of Northville is digging it all up, for a good cause. 

By Tuesday afternoon, much of an 80-foot by 60-foot area for the new Riley Park Ice Rink had been cleared. Farmington Department of Public Works superintendent Chuck Eudy said equipment should begin to arrive in about two weeks, and installation may begin even earlier than the Dec. 9 target date. 

Farmington city manager Vince Pastue said the decision to dig came soon after engineers with OHM determined that it would take 200 yards of sand to level the ground. That would create an 18-inch step up onto the ice, not to mention the spring clean-up. 

"We concluded it would be better for us to cut, so that you have a level entrance for the rink," Pastue said.

DDA director Annette Knowles said despite the work done in 2012, drainage and soil issues continued to plague the park. "We've noticed some deterioration ... It's very, very difficult to maintain the grass there," she said.

In January, officials will start planning to restore the park. Leveling the ground, Pastue said, leaves open several options, including concrete "grass pavers", which have spaces that allow grass to grow through. 

Pastue and Knowles acknowledge the project has also forced them to look at other issues, like use of the adjacent Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion. Pastue said the entire area has gotten much heavier use than anyone anticipated when it was built in 2005.

In addition to the Farmers and Artisans Market, which runs May through early November, the park and pavilion are home to a free spring/summer concert series, Art on the Grand, Founders Festival and Holly Days activities, the Harvest Moon celebration, a Thursday night swing dance group and other special events. 

Knowles said the rink will be free to all skaters in its first year, when officials will collect data to formulate a plan for ongoing operations. To make the rink self-sustaining, officials will also look at charging a fee in the second year. Sponsorship packages are also available. 

Knowles said local entrepreneurs have a golden opportunity to nab the rink's skate rental and concessions businesses; anyone interested should contact Pastue, 248-474-5500.