Peconic Ice Rinks Expands With New Outdoor Facility in Calverton

Peconic Ice Rinks is set to expand its offerings with the addition of a brand-new outdoor rink currently under construction and set to open this month. Located in Veterans Memorial Park in Calverton, this versatile facility will serve as an ice rink during the winter months and transform into a multi-sport venue for dek hockey, roller hockey, floorball, and other various activities on its VersaCourt sports surface during the warmer seasons.

The facility’s potential was highlighted on July 30, when legendary NHL Hall of Famer and six-time Stanley Cup champion, Mark Messier, visited the site to inspect the progress. Messier’s presence underscored the rink’s significance and potential impact on the local community.

“The development of this new rink is a fantastic opportunity for the local community to engage in a variety of sports year-round,” said Messier. “It’s exciting to see such a dedicated effort to grow and celebrate the game of hockey at all levels.”

When speaking in regard to working with Peconic Hockey Foundation President Troy Albert on the project, Messier added, “I feel lucky enough just to be a part of it and see it come to fruition. Eight years ago, we were talking about building a rink in this area, and here we are today, standing with a bubble hockey rink, which is amazing.”

The new outdoor rink officially opened with its first event, Hockey Is Hockey, which began last Thursday, August 15, and ran through Sunday. The festive, community-driven celebration honored the sport’s grassroots, featuring a mix of ice, inline, dek, and all-things hockey. The event aimed to bring the local hockey community together, fostering a shared love for the game and including activities for all ages, from youth to adults and professional players.

Highlights of the event included appearances by NHL alumni, local celebrities, and featured youth games, women’s games and a sled hockey game. Attendees also enjoyed skills programs and training sessions, product demonstrations, music, food trucks, sponsor and vendor booths, and the highly anticipated Main Event Ice and Inline Hockey Games. These games showcased a diverse lineup of participants, including NHL alumni, professional and college players, Team USA Roller Hockey players, junior hockey players, and local celebrities. Rosters for these games were selected when the festivities commenced with the Main Event Draft Night Party at Lake View Grill at Scott’s Pointe on August 15.

Peconic Ice Rinks’ expansion promises to enhance the local sports landscape, providing a dynamic venue for both hockey enthusiasts and the broader community.

In addition to the immediate goal of finishing the outdoor rink, the not-for-profit Peconic Hockey Foundation is actively seeking to raise funds to complete the current expansion and to support future developments. These include enhancing existing facilities and introducing new programs that cater to a wide range of sports and community activities. The foundation believes that with the community’s support, it can create a premier sports destination that will benefit generations to come.

The Peconic Hockey Foundation and Peconic Ice Rinks is dedicated to fostering the growth of hockey and providing accessible sports facilities for the local community. With the new outdoor rink nearing completion, the foundation’s focus is on securing the necessary resources to ensure the project’s success and sustainability.

Jim Tamburino is the general manager of Peconic Ice Rinks — Ed.