WPRO News
Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi says Greenwood Credit Union has been awarded the naming rights to a new ice and roller skating rink proposed for a site behind city hall once occupied by the former city hall annex.
At a news conference on the site Monday morning, Picozzi said the credit union submitted the winning bid of $300,000 for the right to have the rink bear its name for five years, adding that Dave’s Market was the lone other bidder.
“I feel we have the obligation to give back to the communities that had been so generous in giving to Greenwood Credit Union,” said board Chairman Thomas Ahern.
Mayor Picozzi said the rink, budgeted for $8 million using a federal earmark and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, is subject to City Council approval in a meeting Monday night.
“This area has been pretty much down and out for years,” Picozzi said of the Apponaug neighborhood.
“We’re going to revive it. I know business is going to want to come here because the amount of people is going to be here, and we’re trying to grow out from here, Picozzi said.
Picozzi said the rink is intended for public skating only, adding that the city’s two existing rinks are primarily used by hockey teams and leagues. He said that in addition to skating, plans call for facilities for pickleball, green space and more. Groundbreaking would be up to after a contractor is selected, and construction is expected to take about 18 months.
