New Operator Skates In To Ralph Walker Rink

by Dereen Shirnekhi

A new operator has taken over the Ralph Walker Ice Rink, with plans teed up not just for hockey but also for year-round programming and community skate sessions.

That new operator is Elm City Sports Group LLC, a sports company founded by Elisabeth and Peter Alden.

Elm City Sports Group and the Parks Department are currently awaiting approval from the Board of Alders to enter a five-year contract to manage the Ralph Walker Ice Rink at 1080 State St. That proposal is likely to be heard and deliberated upon in October, which is when the ice season begins.

The couple received a special permit from the Commission on Parks, Programs, & Recreational Facilities back in July to begin operating sooner, to prepare to hit the ground running for programming. That special permit will expire if the contract is approved by alders.

Elisabeth and Peter Alden were in attendance for the latest meeting of the parks commission at 720 Edgewood Ave. on Wednesday, as commissioners approved an updated fee schedule for the rink.

While the couple live in Branford with their four kids, Elisabeth grew up in Westville, and Peter learned to skate at Ralph Walker as a kid. He went on to play hockey for Quinnipiac University.

“This community needs a lot of energy and drive for getting kids on the ice,” Peter told the Independent. “We do believe it [Ralph Walker] can be a real flagship, not just in New Haven but the state.”

“We want to maximize the ice,” Elisabeth agreed. “We want people to come in and be proud.”

Parks Director Max Webster said that there had been a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process after the five-year contract with the last operator, Wonderland of Ice Associates aka Skate New Haven, expired this year.

“When you looked at everything, this was the best proposal,” Webster said of Elm City Sports Group. “We want to have a really active and dynamic space year-round.”

Parks commissioner Kenya Adams-Martin noted Ralph Walker’s proximity to Fair Haven and Cedar Hill. “Will those kids be included?” she asked.

“There has been some low numbers, and we recognize that,” Peter said. He said the goal will be to make people feel welcomed — “ice skating isn’t the easiest” — and establish relationships with youth and community groups, while providing fun opportunities like themed nights.

Ralph Walker is the home of the Albertus Magnus College men and women’s hockey teams. In addition to accommodating the teams’ practice times and games, Elm City Sports is booking open skate, hockey, skills nights, and ice skating sessions for the season. There will be Learn To Skate programs, including one in partnership with the New York Rangers, who will provide gear. U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalist John Cain will teach figure skating. They’re also establishing partnerships with the Police Athletic League, Youth & Rec, Hockey Night in New Haven, Quinnipiac, UConn, Hamden Hall, girls’ hockey program the Shoreline Sharks, and others.

The Aldens also intend to make use of the rink’s full commercial kitchen set-up for concessions: Local business Kay’s Kitchen is set to handle the food.

Parks commissioner Mary Ann Moran also recommended reaching out to community management teams across the city and presenting to meeting attendees. “I’m sure people in other parts of the city don’t even know this is happening,” she said.

The proposed contract between the city and Elm City Sports allows the city to get a cut of revenue.

Fees for reserving the ice are mostly staying the same: $425 for residents and $475 for non-residents during peak hours. During public skating time, children under 5 skate free, adult residents skate for $8, adult non-residents skate for $10, and skate rentals are $7.

There hadn’t previously been a defined rate for off-peak resident and non-resident usage. The commission unanimously approved a $255/hour rate for residents and $295/hour for non-residents.

Parks commissioner Kenya Adams-Martin (right), alongside fellow commissioner Harvey Feinberg: How will you make sure kids who live in the neighborhood are involved?