During the Monday, August 2, 2021 Town Council workshop the Cape Elizabeth Community Ice Rink team presented a proposal for a permanent community ice rink and sports arena: the Cape Community Arena.  In the fall of 2020 the founding members requested permission from the Town to construct a temporary ice rink in the parking lot behind Town Hall with fundraising donations from community members [Article].  Permission was granted and the original team of three families formed a non-profit to raise funds.  The project received positive feedback via their Facebook page including a write-up in the Portland Press Herald  and a surplus of residents wanting to donate to the fundraiser.  At the end of the winter season, the team donated the project to the Town.

A board was formed to pursue the Cape Community Arena.  Board Chair Julie Furt, a more recent member to join the team’s board, explained that the success of the 2020-2021 ice rink encouraged the team to pursue a larger project with a broader range of uses for the community.  The ice rink behind Town Hall is considered part of Phase One; the future proposed project is referred to as Phase Two.  Board Member and Founder Jay Brandeis shared that the hope is to replicate the Phase One ice rink for the 2021-2022 season while simultaneously pursuing Phase Two, but with improvements.  For example, Brandeis listed improving the leveling of the rink; providing routine maintenance; and installing a partial roof over the left side of the rink.  Additionally, crediting the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department and Public Works Department for their assistance in last year’s rink, Brandeis confirmed that the team would be directly involved in improving the Phase One rink.

The  arena is proposed to be a fully covered and refrigerated ice rink and a year-round multi-use facility.  In addition to ice hockey, figure skating and community skating during the winter months, the arena would be available to pre-season spring sports, pickle ball, and graduations;  community summer camps, events, and fall sports.  

In consultation with the Town the board selected Gull Crest field as the optimal location for the project.  While several locations were contemplated, Gull Crest was chosen by considering: environmental impact; wetland and flood plain; zoning; utilities access; abutters; existing parking; and main road access.  Architect Caleb Johnson of Caleb Johnson Studio was selected by the team to design the project based on his company’s focus on, “Main-street communities and regionally inspired architecture.”  The construction phase is also approached in two phases; the first being the ice rink arena.  Displaying conceptual site plans, Johnson explained that the arena would use metal construction with a translucent roof to create a, “Light and open structure.”  The amenities building would be constructed utilizing local hardwoods to house the locker rooms, bathrooms, exercise equipment, skate rentals, viewing areas, and outdoor seating.

Assuming approval, fundraising, and supplies in place, the board’s target timeline would be to break ground in the spring of 2022 so that Cape Elizabeth High School hockey team could utilize the rink for a portion of the 2022-2023 season.  The amenities building would not be complete until 2023.  Founder and Board Member Sam Sezak estimated that the project is currently estimated to cost $5 million with a plus/minus margin of 20 percent.  As with the ice rink behind town hall, the community arena would be donated to the Town and serve as a unique town asset.  According to Sezak, preliminary out-reach to possible donors has demonstrated that there is, “Intense interest and enthusiasm” for the project.  Cape Elizabeth High School Hockey, Cape Elizabeth Community Services, Cape Elizabeth Soccer, and Seacoast United Maine soccer league are some of the organizations who have already expressed interest.  Sezak explained that the board is committed to raising funds from the private sector, but hopes to form a partnership with the Town for a portion of the project as it will eventually be town-owned and serve the entire community.  Sezak added, once the budget is finalized and the board feels confident that they will receive planning approval, fundraising and discussions with the Town about “Appropriate partnership amounts,” will begin.

Members of the Cape Community Arena Board are Jay Brandeis, Sam Sezak, Chris Hooper, Julie Furt, and Scott Liston.  Zach Matzkin, Annah Sawyer, Allison McLaughlin, Anastasia O’Hagan, and Eugene Shepard are also involved as team members.

Conceptual Site Plan of Cape Community Arena location at Gullcrest field, courtesy of Caleb Johnson Studio.

Conceptual Building Plan of Cape Community Arena, courtesy of Caleb Johnson Studio.