Township hockey fanatics await fate of Ice Palace
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer
Some of the Brick township hockey community expressed some concern when negotiations fell through by the township for the purchase of the Ocean Ice Palace.

Recent media reports indicate that owner Joan Dwulet decided to abandon the proposed purchase of the 13-acre parcel that would include the ice arena built in 1962. It happened after negotiations dragged on for nearly a year and a citizens group, Stop OverSpending (SOS), successfully petitioned for a referendum after learning the purchase would carry an additional $4.7 million expense to refurbish the property and set up a community and recreational center there.

A verbal agreement was reached between Dwulet and the township last summer but SOS members said costs could reach $25 million, although township officials said the impact on taxpayers would cost anywhere from approximately $15 to $30 each year on the average.

"I said it was going to happen. All of our worst fears have been realized," commented Mayor Stephen Acropolis.

Along with the township losing an opportunity for more soccer fields located there and an existing dormitory that could be used for offices and a senior community center in its plans, there are concerns for what the failed negotiations would mean now for the two high school teams and the 250 youngsters in the Brick Hockey Club, the vast majority from the township, practicing and playing games there.

"Of course we're disappointed the town did not get it," said Bob Auriemma, who has coached the Brick Township High School program for 40 years. "I saw this happening. But it's not the end of the world. We have to move on."

Auriemma agreed when asked that it's "always a possibility" that the arena would be leveled by a developer now that the property again is listed for sale.

Chip Bruce, coach of Brick Memorial that lost in the NJSIAA Public Schools tournament semifinals, felt similarly.

"Obviously, the events of the last couple of weeks are a setback," said Bruce. "I'd like to be optimistic that at some point, something could be worked out but the owner has withdrawn. Hopefully, it remains a rink. It's always a concern that the facility could become a residential area."

Rick Handchen, director of athletics for Brick Township High who has been involved with the Brick Hockey Club in the past as a coach, said, "People are very discouraged but there is the idea the township still is pursuing it. It's not a dead issue.

"I think if the town doesn't buy the rink, it will affect the high school programs if another group comes in and buys it. It will be a hard time getting ice time at Wall and Red Bank," said Handchen. "I think it would be a great thing if the town can have a rec center in a prime location. They've been talking about building a rec center for a long time, and that's a perfect place to have it."

Alex DePalma, the coaching director for USA Hockey's Atlantic Region that includes New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware and who also is a coaching director for the Brick Hockey Club, spoke twice at Township Council meetings on the issue.

"It's a huge disappointment for all the residents of Brick and not just the hockey community," said DePalma, who also is coaching the Brick Hockey Club Bantam AAs 15-year-olds. "I saw this coming because no matter what they say, they made it a political issue and not one for the kids and the seniors of the township as well as all of the residents."

DePalma said that in February 2000, he received a letter from then-Mayor Joe Scarpelli telling him of a plan to build a $20 million complex with an ice rink at the property behind the post office on Chambers Bridge Road, the same road where the current ice rink is located, and asking for his involvement. The letter involved the "development of the proposed Brick Recreation Complex" that Scarpelli wrote "would be good for the people of Brick."

"We are far into the process of finalizing an agreement with the developer of the proposed facility," it reads.

But DePalma said that "the plans were dropped after 9/11." He said he wanted to present the letter at a recent council meeting but was unable to attend because of a pressing commitment.

Handchen said he is aware of that proposal, too, but said "the property has been sold, so that's a dead issue."

"Why not spend $5 million instead of $20 million on something for a whole community," said DePalma, saying, "It would be a crown jewel on the main street of town."

DePalma said that at the annual USA Hockey National Congress in Colorado Springs on June 6, representatives knew about the proposed purchase by the township "and they were hoping it would go through. They know Brick has been such a great organization."

Brick Hockey Club President Bob Auriemma Jr. did not return phone messages left for comment.

"I'm in a wait-and-see mode for what happens," Bill Bruno, Brick Memorial High School Athletics Director said. "We're ready to go for the Ice Palace in '08- '09. Where we are right now, I don't know. My hope is that we can be optimistic."

DePalma cited two former Brick Hockey Club graduates, Jim Dowd, whose long NHL career includes a stint this past season with the Philadelphia Flyers who lost in the Stanley Cup semifinals to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and James Van Riemsdyk, whom DePalma coached on a Brick Hockey Club Midget AA team that reached the nationals and who was the second draft pick overall in the 2007 NHL free agent draft by the Flyers.

DePalma said about the possibility the ice rink and the property could go to a private developer for housing, "I absolutely think so. I know a gentleman at the meeting who said he'd buy it with two investors and build condos."

DePalma said there "was a concern but that I doubt" that the condition of the ice rink would be ignored during the sale process. "I don't think she would do that. She's had a great relation with Brick hockey and she's a proud woman."

In the meantime, the hockey community and concerned residents can only wait to see what happens from here.