Township Exploring Options for Replacement Hockey Rink at Jeff Young Park

The roller hockey rink at Jeff Young Memorial Park is no more.

The dilapidated rink was demolished last week. However, it will be replaced with a new rink. That project will be presented to Moorestown Council as part of a recreation bond ordinance at its Aug. 4 meeting, but on Monday night, council heard its options for the replacement rink.

Scott Taylor, vice president of Taylor Design Group, offered two proposals to township council.

The township’s first option is a heavy duty chain link fence with a lower board and angled corners conducive to pick up and non-league play. The cost for this project would be between $25,000 and $30,000.

The other option is to use dasher boards, more appropriate for league-style play and used by the National Hockey League (NHL) and high schools. The potential price range for this project is between $85,000 and $100,000.

Township Manager Scott Carew indicated that any cost of the project not covered by the bond ordinance, which will be set aside for multiple recreation projects in the town, could be raised in the community.

The existing rink is 60 feet by 120 feet, which is more suited for recreational play.

The rink at Wesley Bishop Park is 75 by 175, more suitable for league play. The Moorestown Youth Street Hockey Association uses the rink at Wesley Bishop. Councilman Phil Garwood suggested the organization may want to use the rink at Jeff Young Memorial Park, but the league has expressed no interest, according to a representative from the Parks and Recreation Department who was in attendance at Monday’s meeting.

The Moorestown Youth Street Hockey Association helps maintain the rink at Wesley Bishop, including clearing snow, paiting walls and rebuilding storage rooms. Carew said they go 50/50 on resurfacing projects with the township.

The township hopes for the same type of cooperation with the new rink at Jeff Young, and Carew said the third option would be to get feedback from the community to see what type of rink they would like installed.