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Organizers ask Nashua board to revisit denied Mine Falls pond hockey permit
Summary
Organizers of Puck Pirates Pond Hockey LLC urged the Board of Public Works to reconsider a Parks & Rec denial for a Mine Falls canal tournament, saying they submitted an operations plan addressing ice thickness checks, waivers, first-aid staff and insurance and that city risk and fire officials are reviewing the application.
Organizers of Puck Pirates Pond Hockey LLC asked the Board of Public Works on July 30 to reconsider a permit denial for a planned pond hockey tournament on the Mine Falls canal.
“My name is Michael Curtin,” said Curtin, who described a proposed tournament for up to 64 teams, all players 18 and older, with an entry fee around $200 and a portion of each team’s fee to support local high school hockey programs. Curtin said they submitted an operations plan addressing safety points including on-site monitoring, participant waivers, ice-thickness verification, certified first-aid staff and insurance coverage.
Curtin said Parks & Recreation denied the application citing safety concerns and that the matter is now with the city’s risk management department, which along with the fire marshal and emergency management director are reviewing the plan. “We do also, in the packet, have letters of Wyatt,” Curtin said, offering materials and a willingness to adjust safeguards to meet staff recommendations.
Wyatt Salish Serber, who identified himself as a co-organizer, said the format is intended to be low-cost and community-focused, distinguishing it from large commercial events. The presenters said they met with Parks & Rec staff and submitted additional materials but had not yet received a final response; they asked the board to consider the community and youth benefits of the event.
City staff and Commissioners acknowledged interest but cautioned they do not unilaterally make the final decision. A staff speaker explained that because the canal has moving water in places “the ice is very unpredictable and not safe to permit” in the past, and that the risk management department will ultimately determine whether conditions and safeguards are sufficient. The board offered to relay the organizers’ packet to the risk team and said staff would follow up on the review status.
The board took no formal vote on the permit during the meeting; staff indicated they would communicate the risk department’s determination when available.
