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Peachtree City hockey families press council to enclose Kedron rink for year‑round play
Summary
Parents, coaches and association leaders told the Peachtree City City Council work session on May 8 that the open‑air Kedron rink causes heat and condensation hazards and limits the hockey program's growth; speakers asked the city to plan enclosure and HVAC upgrades in summer 2026.
Peachtree City hockey parents, coaches and association leaders urged the City Council at its May 8 work session to support enclosing the open‑air Kedron roller hockey rink so the program can operate year‑round and reduce heat and condensation risks.
The request matters to families and volunteers who say the current facility limits player safety, summer programming and the ability of local travel teams to compete with programs that use enclosed rinks.
Jim Forrestal, a Spooner Ridge resident who identified himself as a local hockey parent, opened public comment by describing recent travel and tournament play and asking the council to schedule an enclosure “next May through August 2026 so that it doesn't interfere with our hockey league time.”
Amanda Reese, who said she is “the wife of a hockey coach and the mother of a hockey goalie,” described repeated overheating during practices and games. “She has, at times, had to step away from practices because she is overheating, and she physically cannot play anymore without endangering her own health,” Reese said.
Cliff Jackson, director of coaching for the Peachtree City Hockey Association, outlined two facility problems: condensation that makes the playing surface dangerously wet and high heat that prevents summer play and tournaments. “The Kedron Rink has been home to Peachtree City Hockey for almost 30 years,” Jackson said, then urged an enclosure with HVAC to expand the league and support regional events.
Speakers said condensation can force delayed starts, and repeated wet floors have prevented the rink from hosting regional tournaments that would bring economic activity to local businesses. Jackson said enclosing the rink and installing HVAC would “provide a safer environment for our participants” and expand the program’s ability to host events year‑round.
Council members did not take formal action at the work session; speakers thanked staff and council members for listening. City staff and council members acknowledged the request and will consider it during budget and capital planning timelines. Several speakers asked the council to prioritize construction that would avoid the current league season, a detail Forrestal specifically requested.
The record of remarks and questions from the May 8 meeting show parents and association leaders focused on three concrete problems—heat, condensation/dripping, and lost competitive development opportunities—and on a proposed construction window of May–August 2026. No funding or zoning decisions were made at the session.
