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I used to take the kids to the Bryant Park rink every week in nice weather - the rink was always packed with a very diverse crowd. NYC could definitely use more rinks and we'd skate at the armory for sure. Nine rinks are a lot though - I guess the developers know what they're doing. I generally think it's a good use, definitely better than another shopping center. The other proposal was also interesting. Too bad they couldn't have combined the two somehow.
Mixed use would be the best bet. Even just pure sports mixed use. Could be a couple of ice rinks, a couple indoor soccer fields, basket ball courts, tennis course, etc. Make it a Sports complex and it would probably be more profitable than 9 hockey rinks.
Especially the turf fields. those can be used for soccer, football, and lacrosse so getting people in there would be easier.
One thing that is hard about ice sports to catch on is the costs. Even for cheap equipment it's still expensive. Cheap hockey skates are 100-150 dollars. Then all of the equipment. Even for figure skating it's roughly the same price from some cheap figure skates. Ice time isn't very cheap either, and is one of the largest costs you'll pay throughout your time playing hockey as it's a recurring cost.
Field sports are very low cost of entry which make them much more popular, especially in the lower income areas.
Mixed use would be the best bet. Even just pure sports mixed use. Could be a couple of ice rinks, a couple indoor soccer fields, basket ball courts, tennis course, etc. Make it a Sports complex and it would probably be more profitable than 9 hockey rinks.
Especially the turf fields. those can be used for soccer, football, and lacrosse so getting people in there would be easier.
One thing that is hard about ice sports to catch on is the costs. Even for cheap equipment it's still expensive. Cheap hockey skates are 100-150 dollars. Then all of the equipment. Even for figure skating it's roughly the same price from some cheap figure skates. Ice time isn't very cheap either, and is one of the largest costs you'll pay throughout your time playing hockey as it's a recurring cost.
Field sports are very low cost of entry which make them much more popular, especially in the lower income areas.
I definitely would have liked to see a larger variety of uses, but again, it's better than a mall.
Community groups are very active there, so I'm sure they'll push for programs for local kids.
Bryant Park was very affordable - totally free skating as long as you had the skates and free storage if you have a lock. Hopefully this can be similar.
True. Basketball is popular throughout the country. Even Minnesota which is not a very urban state to say the least has their own NBA team playing infront of over 20,000 cheering fans at the Target Center. And the list goes on.
how a bout a Montefiore satellite facility or a Fordham U or other educational facility or a govt agency moving into the old Armory if sports facilities or shopping aren't good ideas?
I prefer a Wholefoods, Starbucks and things like that but I'm okay with an Ice Rink.
Is there enough demand for ice hockey, figure skating, and recreational skating in a circle in the Bronx? A couple of guys at work is not enough. NYC already has World Ice, City Ice, Aviator, Chelsea Piers Sky Rink. If Messier was smart he would have opted for a place in Westchester. There is more demand for Ice sports up there than in the Bronx.
The people of Westchester are welcome to come to the Bronx.
If he wants to play Ice hockey, he has to go where the players are. Currently the best recreational players are close to Skyrink, City Ice Pavilion for adult leagues. What reason do they have to go to the Bronx, just to check out the rink? City Ice Pavilion, and World Ice are in more centrally located. So more convenient for everyone from Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan even and Nassau County to get to.
In a couple of years they will have to go to the Bronx for the best recreational players. What exactly is your issue with the Armory being an Ice Rink?
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