Beloved North Adams Skating Rink Undergoes Major Renovations, Blends Tradition with Modernization
The Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink in North Adams is undergoing a important transformation, balancing its rich history with essential upgrades to meet growing demand. For over five decades, the rink has been a community hub, and recent renovations aim to preserve its legacy while ensuring its continued vitality.
A Long Connection to the Ice
Guy Cariddi, the rink’s current manager, embodies the facility’s enduring legacy. He vividly recalls the rink’s opening in 1969, when he was a seven-year-old member of the first Northern Berkshire Youth Hockey League team, coached by Clifford “Kip” Syrett. “I had on girls’ white figure skates, he taped magazines around our shins and had a box of wrestling helmets,” Cariddi fondly remembers of Syrett’s resourceful approach to early hockey equipment. After a 43-year coaching career with the youth league, Cariddi transitioned to managing the rink approximately four years ago, a role he approaches with the same passion.
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future
Despite the modernization efforts, Cariddi emphasizes that much of the rink remains unchanged from his childhood. “many aspects of the rink are unchanged from when I first entered it over 50 years ago,” he said, noting the enduring presence of the floors, roof, and even the long-dormant bleacher heaters. However, recognizing the need for improvements, Cariddi has spearheaded a series of upgrades.
This year alone, the rink received a new floor and a completely replaced roof, funded by over $500,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. “We were desperate,” Cariddi explained. “These were all things that had aged out… They were 55-year-old rubber floors.” The bleacher guards have also been replaced, and plans are underway to replace the broken bleacher heaters and install more energy-efficient fiberglass doors. Skate replacements are also a priority, with adult skates updated in 2023 and children’s skates slated for replacement in the spring.
Rising Demand Drives Investment
These improvements are not merely cosmetic; they are a direct response to a surge in demand. last season saw record-high public skating attendance under Cariddi’s management, a trend he anticipates will continue. The rink has also experienced significant growth in its hockey programs, adding eight full-time teams since 2021, bringing the total to 18. “Adding all of these teams has enabled us to do these renovations,” Cariddi stated.
Looking ahead, Cariddi hopes to tackle the locker rooms next year, a space that hasn’t seen updates since the rink’s original construction in 1969.
Sharing the Ice: A Testament to Community
Managing a single rink shared by 18 teams requires careful coordination and a spirit of cooperation. Cariddi credits his deep familiarity with the rink and its users for fostering a harmonious surroundings.”I know this place like the back of my hand, but that’s a good thing as I know all of the people involved,” he said.”We don’t have a lot of bickering. All groups try to work together as much as possible and we avoid conflict that way.”
Creative scheduling solutions are often employed to accommodate everyone. as a notable example, when the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts hockey team has a game coinciding with a youth practice, MCLA might host a “youth hockey night” to ensure the younger players still get ice time. Similarly,figure skating clubs may perform during intermissions of hockey games. “We only have so much ice, and we have to share it,” Cariddi acknowledged.
Those interested in public skating can find open skate hours posted two weeks in advance on the rink’s Facebook page, though Cariddi notes that schedules are subject to change based on hockey commitments.The Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating rink stands as a testament to the power of community, a place where tradition and progress skate hand in hand.
