After nearly a decade of inoperability, Kensico Dam’s vacant reflecting pool could get a multi-million dollar facelift, which would include an addition which county officials describe as a “one-of-a-kind” ice rink and skating circuit.
According to mockups released last Tuesday, a currently baron 92,000-square-foot reflecting pool will be replaced with an outdoor ice rink, in addition to a skating circuit that will stretch for one-third of a mile in total around the rink’s perimeter.
According to Anthony Catalano, an engineer for the firm Woodard & Curran who helped design the project, such a proposal would make Kensico Dam in Valhalla unique compared to any rink in the entire region.
“There is no design like this,” Catalano said. “The rink can accommodate any kind of skater—beginners, advanced, hockey players and kids who just want to traverse around the loops.”
According to Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, who unveiled the plans at an Oct. 11 press conference at the site, the project would cost about $25 million, including renovations that were proposed for the reflecting pool in 2015 that were not completed due to cost.
The improvements to Kensico Dam are being introduced as a part of $100 million in capital improvements to the county parks system that was recently outlined in a $303 million capital budget sent by Astorino to the county Board of Legislators for approval on Oct. 14.
Amongst the incentives to fund the project now, the administration cited historically low interest rates as well as the county’s superior credit rating compared to other counties in the state.
New amenities and a refurbished fountain wouldn’t be the only new fixtures at the park, however. An added dose of star power, the Astorino administration hopes, would also help bring more visitors.
As a part of a partnership with the county, the New York Rangers would also hold regular public clinics at the rink for families across Westchester.
Ex-Ranger Adam Graves was at the press conference to talk about the virtue of having an outdoor facility like the one being proposed in Valhalla.
“The thing that makes me smile the most is that it’s all about family,” Graves said. “What greater gift could you give than something like this, where you’re going to create memories that kids are never going to forget?”
According to representatives from the engineering firm Woodard & Curran, which drafted the preliminary designs, though the rink would transform Kensico’s space, it would also utilize the features already present; piping that already exists beneath the defunct reflecting pool’s foundation would be expanded and utilized to refrigerate the ice seasonally.
Additionally, the new systems installed to maintain the rink and new fountain will be designed to conserve water and also cut down on energy costs by using LED lighting as well as energy-efficient chillers.
While the final plans must still be approved by the Board of Legislators—currently only refurbishing the reflecting pool has the board’s approval—the Astorino administration hopes that the project could be completed by November 2017; just in time for Kensico Dam’s 100th anniversary.
The dam was purchased by the county in 1963 from New York City and originally featured a makeshift skating rink that was utilized during winter months when the reflecting pool froze over.
County Legislator Catherine Parker could not be reached for comment as of press time.
