Reasons Why Worcester Academy Should Build a Hockey Arena

Sunday, April 12th, 2009
by WhiteD09

One of my main problems that I have encountered while I have been a studen here on the Hilltop has been the fact that there is no hockey rink of our own. We have to use the Massachusetts State Rink on Lake Ave. named Buffone Arena. The rink is not too bad and we do have our own locker room, but having your own rink is much easier. Each year I have been here I heard rumors saying that they are going to build a rink in the upcoming years, I was excited because even if I graduated after it was built I could come back a few years later and just skate whenever I wanted and probably start up a men’s league or youth league.

Although I do understand that making a rink costs a whole bunch of money, time, and space I think it should be done.
The space aspect of it is all set because of the purchase of the land down the street at St. Vincent’s Hospital. The time is not really an issue because it can be built whenever. And I am pretty sure they are building an athletic facility over in that land anyway so why not support the hockey team and throw in a rink? Oh yeah, it cost way too much money to build one and keep it up and running. But if you think about it, at every ice arena you need to pay hourly for the ice. For example at Lake Ave. (Buffone) Arena it is 185 dollars per hour to skate, but if there were a rink that was owned by Worcester Academy then the ice would be free for us. And all that money spent in order to make the rink would be made in the future years from renting the ice out to the community. Once all the money has been made back and seeing how Worcester Academy is a non-profit organization, the money that is coming in from the rink could be used for scholarships towards kids who need financial aid and for kids with athletics, academic, or artistic talent, it could be used towards fixing up buildings and maintenance around the campus, raising salaries for teachers and faculty, new furniture or equipment in some certain buildings…use your imagination. So all in all it would help the school to build a hockey arena in the future.

A new pool, new weight room, new gym, etc. is not technically needed because we have those things. Yes it would be useful to have those facilities because the ones we have now are way too old, but we do not even have a rink of our own now, never mind an old one. This will probably be my biggest problem at Worcester Academy until one is made, and if I become filthy rich in the future, which I hope, I will build one myself for Worcester Academy.

Photo Credit:D’Arcy Norman

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