Warwick council debates skate‑rental contract as vendor would operate rink rentals for two seasons with 10% share to city

The Warwick City Council on Oct. 20 sharply questioned a proposed two‑year contract that would let Avacorp, doing business as Sandy Lane Sports, operate skate rental services at the Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza rink and remit 10% of skate‑rental revenue to the city.

Tom Rourke, supervisor at Public Works, told the Finance Committee that Sandy Lane — a family‑owned business in Warwick since the 1970s — was the only bidder and proposed a turnkey operation that would spare the city up‑front purchases and staffing costs. The recommended arrangement would set rental fees at $10 and give the city a 10% profit share on rentals only; admission pricing was not finalized and is expected to fall between $5 and $10.

Council members pressed the administration on several fronts. Councilman Ricks asked what outreach had been done and whether the city had considered operating skate rentals in house; Rourke said four vendors had been contacted (two in Rhode Island and two in Massachusetts) but declined to bid for financial or interest reasons. Councilman Ricks and several colleagues also asked why the city would allow a vendor to occupy and operate from city property without traditional rent and whether the 10% share represented fair value for use of the space.

Public Works said the vendor proposed the 10% share and that the vendor bears most start‑up costs, including equipment and daily operations. Christie Moretti of Public Works outlined oversight procedures: the vendor must maintain a point‑of‑sale system, submit monthly reports that log skate rentals by session, and remit the city's 10% share by check to the treasurer's office; the city will receive those reports for verification.

Members also raised concerns about addendum language allowing the vendor to sell additional merchandise, and whether any revenue from those sales would also be shared with the city. Public Works said skate aids (training aids) will be provided by the city and that other merchandise sales would require city approval and, if necessary, return to council for further agreement.

Supporters, including Councilman Gebhardt and Councilman Napa, said outsourcing rentals in the rink's inaugural years minimizes up‑front cost and operational risk, letting the city evaluate demand before committing capital and staff. Skeptics urged a shorter initial term (one year rather than two), clearer contractual language on insurance and liability, and explicit accounting and audit rights to ensure the city's 10% is verifiable.

At committees and on the floor the item was pulled from the consent calendar for separate consideration and generated extended debate; the transcript does not show a final roll‑call outcome for the council on this particular contract as presented. The administration said insurance certificates, worker's compensation and general liability would be required in the RFP and that the vendor already holds standard commercial policies. The council asked for additional clarifications about merchandise revenue, enforcement if the vendor underreported sales, and the possibility of shortening the contract term.

Next steps: the item was removed from the consent calendar for separate action and debate; council members requested follow‑up information on insurance certificates, monthly verification processes and whether a one‑year pilot would be considered.