This came from the New York Rangers this afternoon …
NEW YORK RANGERS AND CHASE ANNOUNCE COMMUNITY INITIATIVE TO REFURBISH LOCAL HOCKEY RINKS DAMAGED IN HURRICANE SANDY
New York Rangers Assist Supported by Chase will Help Restore Rinks In the Rye and Long Beach Areas
NEW YORK, NY (February 7, 2013) – The New York Rangers and Chase announced today the launch of New York Rangers Assist supported by Chase, a program designed to improve the youth hockey experience and increase opportunities and accessibility to the sport. The new community-based program will start by helping refurbishing hockey rinks in Rye and Long Beach, New York that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy and have been out of operation since the storm.
Restorations will begin immediately at The City of Long Beach Arena in Long Beach and Playland Ice Casino in Rye. The City of Long Beach Arena, which will receive a new refrigeration system for the rink, new rubber flooring and sheetrock for the entire arena, and zamboni and electrical repairs, is scheduled to reopen in March. Playland Ice Casino will also receive a new refrigeration system along with roof and structural repairs, and is expected to open its doors in fall 2013. As part of the program, the Rangers and Chase will also host a variety of free events and activities to celebrate the reopening of the rinks with appearances from Rangers alumni.
“We are proud to collaborate with Chase to restore two community rinks in New York that have a special connection to the Rangers organization and serve so many hockey fans in the area,” said Howard Jacobs, executive vice president of marketing and sales, MSG Sports. “This new program further expands the Rangers longstanding commitment to providing youth and adults with a variety of opportunities through camps, clinics and special events to have fun, learn the game of hockey and hone their skills.”
“Our partnership with the Rangers is an extension of our long standing commitment to ‘do the right thing’ in New York communities – it’s engrained in our culture and how we run our business,” said Colleen Canny, head of Chase branches in the Northeast US. “This storm impacted our employees, our customers and our communities, so it’s only right for us to be a good neighbor as we rebuild.”
Both rinks hold historical significance to the Rangers franchise, having previously served as training facilities for the team. The Blueshirts practiced at the City of Long Beach Arena in the 1970s and Playland Ice Casino from 1979 until 2002, prior to the opening of the MSG Training Center for the 2002-03 season. The two locations are also currently official community rink partners of the team.
Last season, the Rangers held over 250 community events in the tri-state area, giving more than 10,000 youth the opportunity to experience hockey through free camps, clinics, and skating events. New York Rangers Assist supported by Chase adds to the Rangers expanding list of community initiatives that focus on growing hockey throughout the tri-state.
This new community program is part of a broader commitment by Madison Square Garden and Chase to take action in the community. The New York Knicks and Chase unveiled a similar initiative in December – Basketball in the Boroughs, presented by Chase – a program that serves thousands of youth in the five boroughs through free basketball clinics, Knicks player and alumni appearances, and basketball court refurbishments.
12 Comments
I’m opening up a chase banking account. Yayyyy Chase.
Just saying how does RYe need money lol????Kids all over world and in our country too in poverty,but Rye needs money haha
Rye does not need money. The rink does.
The rink is county owned.
Good for the NY Rangers and Chase.
When Rink 2 at SOR was renamed for Tom Kennedy, the banner says ” First a Saint, then a Hero
and now an ANGEL.”
Thanks Coach Orlando,
Now we know that Bosco not only takes Rockland kids for its sports use, but they seemingly can’t come up with a homegrown slogan either.
Hey Al, Postman, or Cliffy.
Can anyone tell me what Rockland players go to Don Bosco? And what school would they have gone to if they went to public school.
And for ANY public school to give a school like Don Bosco a 2-0 game (3-0 with en), it is a feather in their cap. The amount of ice time, games, coaching, and competition on top of the recruitment of players from all over the tri state area (Pennsylvania too?) is a huge advantage over our public school teams. I’m sure they are able to get on the ice alot earlier and end alot later in the year as well.
Or old school mountie. Do you know?
Griffin Welch is a soph from Pearl River
(Avalanche U16 American)
County owns & operates the rink
I pay county property taxes
Rangers are saving me money and, in general, improving youth/HS Hky
What is the point of bashing 1 percenters in Rye???
I think a much more important issue is to make sure design improvements are included in the recovery plan. Use the opportunity to IMPROVE the facility while making the repairs. Spending millions to exactly duplicate a pretty old, tired building with little seating WHILE huge, dynamic plans are underway for the entire property seems shortsighted.
I simply don’t trust the politicians in the County to get it right on their own.
Follow the money . . . .
isn’t FEMA also kicking in(watch these funds)
Playland is located in Rye. People from all over the county skate there. It is a great rink that is now caught in politics. Sustainable Playland is one of 4 groups that will be speaking on Wednesday at the County Center. If you want to get more information attend the meeting at 7pm. Educate yourself and ask questions.
Fema is giving money to Playland. Over 20 million?
The County is floating bonds to get work done. Over 15 million?
Chase Bank and the NY Rangers say they are giving money. No amount specified?
Sustainable Playland says it will invest 34 millions.
You would think with all these big shots saying they will put up all this money a 1 and 1/2 sheet facilty can open by September 1st.
Oh wait I forgot the crime of the century. Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating: Shane Coppola of American Skating Entertainment Centers.
(Capital investment: $600,000)