Ice Center begins to take shape

Parr Properties, based in Ronkonkoma, began construction on the project in early April.

Susan Grieco/Herald

There will be two NHL-size rinks inside the Twin Rinks Ice Center.

Susan Grieco/Herald

The Twin Rinks Ice Center at Eisenhower Park, an 80,000-square-foot indoor facility, outdoor rink and sports recreational center, is expected to be completed and operational by the fall.

Susan Grieco/Herald

• 
• 
• 

Construction on the Twin Rink Ice Center at Eisenhower Park continues at full steam, as the framework of an 80,000-square-foot indoor facility, outdoor rink and recreation center progresses by the day.

On July 18, Mike Martino and Robert LaBaw of Nassau County’s Public Works Department, and project manager Angel Menendez of Parr Properties, gave the Herald a tour of the construction site. The construction was in its 93rd day since work began in early April.

Red steel frame outlines the superstructure of the facility, adjacent to the Nassau County Aquatic Center, which will house two NHL-size ice rinks. One rink will have 1,000 seats, and the other, 2,000, according to the county officials. “This is absolutely going to be a jewel,” said Martino, the department’s press secretary.

In the near future, the plan is to recruit a vendor to run a full-scale restaurant on the upper level of the arena. “You should be able to have dinner and watch a hockey game,” said LaBaw, a county architect.

A third, smaller outdoor rink will be used for skating lessons, youth programs and tournaments involving hockey teams of all ages. At least two youth hockey organizations, the Long Island Gulls Amateur Hockey Association and the New York Junior Bobcats, have signed on to play at the center.

A separate gym, for gymnastics, volleyball and other indoor sports, is also part of the project.

Both the indoor and outdoor facility are expected to be completed and operational in the fall. “We’re pushing very hard to meet that deadline,” said Menendez, adding that 30 to 40 crew members are working daily.

The construction is being funded by Twin Rinks at Eisenhower Park LLC, a private company headed by former NHL players and twin brothers Chris and Peter Ferraro. The company was chosen by Mangano after proposals were solicited in June 2012. The county will receive part of the proceeds generated at the complex.

According to a press release issued by Twin Rinks at Eisenhower in January, the construction will cost $15 million.

Parr Properties, according to its website, has developed real estate projects on Long Island for more than 50 years, building four industrial parks and more than 10,000 homes. The company is based in Ronkonkoma.