Councilman J.B. Herron began raising the lingering issue of winter hockey during the summer months in hopes of arriving at a resolution with the town board before the winter recreation season hits.

Specifically, Herron seeks to determine what role the Town of Webb should play in assisting a grassroots effort to create a hockey venue.

Sandy Tetreault of Old Forge has been among the community members pressing the town to provide a rink for hockey.

It was her hope that the rink, which had been phased out several years ago, could be reestablished inside the North Street pavilion.

And she had supporters for that position, among them Councilwomen Kate Russell and Mary Brophy Moore.

They were not necessarily strong advocates, but they did indicate that they could be made agreeable to the right proposal.

Councilman Mike Ross, however, said he is adamantly opposed to the returning of the rink to the pavilion.

Given the other functions of the facility, the cost of maintaining the rink, and the community’s unclear interest in hockey, Ross said he is unwilling to support any such move.

Supervisor Ted Riehle echoed many of Ross’s concerns, particularly the cost, which he said involves many man-hours for setting up and disassembling the boards, as well as costs for heat, lights, and operational oversight.

Mary Brophy Moore has argued that public interest in an activity can’t be gauged where the activity simply does not exist.

Regardless, Councilman Herron said he is reluctant to give too many town resources to a project with community enthusiasm that’s unproven.

He also said he balks at the idea of the town maintaining two rinks, one for hockey and another for open skating. 

This is where Councilwoman Russell said she must draw the line. Russell had been instrumental in establishing a kid- and family-friendly outdoor rink in Old Forge, one which is run by the town.

She said she is not willing to change the character of that rink by adding hockey boards and allowing hockey play.

Consensus is clearly lacking among the board members, but all seemed willing to continue exploring an offer made by John Nemjo to locate a hockey rink in his parking lot at Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company, located on the Thendara stretch.

Clark Lubbs, an employee of Mountainman, spoke to the board on Nemjo’s behalf.

He thanked the town board for not being opposed to hockey, which he said will allow for a solution.

He said he would meet with John Nemjo and craft a proposal that he expects to present to the board within the next few weeks.

Lubbs said hockey is eminently compatible with the town, both as recreation for local youths and an attraction for visitors.

The board discussed whether the town or Mountainman should carry the insurance for the proposed rink.

Both, said Town Attorney Richard Frye, explaining that liability cannot be decided outside a courtroom.

“If there’s litigation, we’re going to be a party to that litigation,” he said, insurance notwithstanding.

Juries are the ultimate arbiters of liability, he said.

Would insurance costs prove prohibitive to the town?

Councilman Ross suggested that the answer could be found in the fact that the Town of Inlet has provided a public rink for years.

“So we just need to resolve the logistics—the placement, et cetera,” Clark Lubbs said. “And we’ll get working on it on our end.”