Lincoln Township officials are weighing the possibility of an ice rink on a 10 acre vacant parcel at Cleveland and Glenlord. The township’s planning commission heard from A.J. Glowacki last night about his desire to build an enclosed rink to solve issues plaguing hockey due to the Howard Ice Arena in St. Joseph not being enclosed. Glowacki believes as many as 800 people could soon be playing hockey in the area if there is an enclosed rink.
“BAHA (Berrien Area Hockey Association) is already spending thousands of dollars across the state at other rinks,” he told the planning commission. “We spend money in Kalamazoo, we spend money in South Bend. Before the season starts, our kids travel to South Bend and Kalamazoo to practice.”
More than two dozen people spoke at a public hearing last night, with support and opposition roughly split. Mike Desmet lives just a few houses away from the current vacant lot.
“Now everyone here who is for this arena is nowhere near this area,” Desmet said. “Now you’ve got to talk to the people in this area. Please don’t discount what we’re saying.”
Naysayers are worried about added traffic, noise and light pollution, and possible impacts on the area’s water table. Those who support it say it will have a big economic impact just by keeping hockey families in town and playing the sport year-round. Those in favor include Sylvia Lieburg of St. Joseph, who helped bring the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena to St. Joseph, but notes there are issues with that facility being open-air.
“I’ve been on the parks board in the City of St. Joseph for over 25 years. I’ve been tyring to get them to enclose their rink, but I think this is a wonderful idea.”
Many of those who spoke against the rink said they like the idea, but want to see it in a different spot. Glowacki says he has looked at several other possible locations, including land near Lakeshore High School and along Red Arrow Highway. None fit the bill like the 10-acre lot at Cleveland and Glenlord. As for a timeline, he’d like to get going as soon as possible if the Planning Commission and Township Board approve.
“The bottleneck is the special use (permit),” explains Glowacki. “As soon as the special use gets done, I can get an arcitect going, I can get drawings, and we can get moving on the project.”
No vote was taken.
