Mayor's 'Task Force' Recommends Reopening Ice Rink, Report Says

The Fourth Ward ice rink that's fallen into disrepair should be repaired and reopened, according to a task force commissioned by Mayor Frank Huttle.

The 15-member committee has not yet made any specific recommendations as to the recreation activities to be held at the John T. Wright Arena at Mckay Park, according to northjersey.com. It will depend on insurance money and federal funds from FEMA, officials said.

Englewood's city council voted earlier this year to reject a $675,000 bond ordinance to replace the roof, which was badly damaged during Super Storm Sandy and led to its closure. The group running the arena, the Boys and Girls Club of Garfield, broke its lease last month.

Whether the ice rink should be reopened at all remains the subject of fiery debate in Englewood, particularly for those in the minority-heavy Fourth Ward who say the arena does little for its residents.

According to the Wednesday northjersey.com report, Ward 1 Councilman Marc Forman has reversed his position on the ice rink, saying it does not belong in the neighborhood and should be torn down.

The task force will continue to meet over the next few months, according to the report. Its membership has not been made public and no public meetings have yet been held.