Somerville council rejects $160,000 appropriation to convert Founders Rink for summer courts

The Somerville City Council voted not to approve a $160,000 appropriation from free cash to the Department of Public Works for fabrication and installation of courts at Founders Rink, handing the administration a defeat after extended debate and public comment.

The appropriation was the mayor’s request to use $160,000 of available city free cash to pay for temporary flooring and related changes at Founders Rink so the facility could host courts in non-winter months. Councilors rejected the request in a roll-call vote: eight councilors opposed and none voted in favor; the official tally recorded the motion as not approved.

Councilors said the item reopened a recurring dispute about how the city should use and preserve its limited indoor recreational facilities. Councilor Lance Davis, who has repeatedly urged the city to prioritize ice access, called the administration’s plan “a very beautifully packaged presentation on using this ice rink for something that is not an ice rink” and said the proposal was “completely unconvincing.” He said he would vote no and urged continued advocacy to keep the rink open for ice programming.

Several speakers who identify as parents and rink users addressed the council. Olga Friedman, who said she is a Somerville resident, told the council the rink matters for youth and families: “I’m here to support for the Founders’ Rink to return to the 12 month calendar use facility, being used as an ice rink, during the winter months.”

Opponents of the appropriation argued the planned changes would reduce or remove ice time the community has used for years, including learn-to-skate, figure skating, curling and public skating, and could favor one set of activities over others. Councilor Sean McLaughlin suggested lower-cost alternatives—such as turf laid over the slab used historically—that might preserve more uses without the six-figure outlays discussed in the administration’s plan.

Supporters of reconfiguring the rink argued the space could be put to more uses in the warmer months, expanding recreational options in a city with limited indoor facilities. Those supporting the mayor’s proposal emphasized the need to increase year-round recreation, though few councilors said the proposal before the council accomplished that goal.

After the vote, Councilor Davis noted that the defeat of the appropriation did not guarantee a return to ice use: the administration still must decide operationally whether to restore ice. He encouraged continued public pressure on the mayor’s office to reopen the rink for skating in the winter.

Votes at a glance: Appropriation of $160,000 from free cash to DPW for fabrication and installation of courts at Founders’ Rink — outcome: not approved (roll-call recorded as no councilors in favor; 11 opposed recorded in the transcript).