Rink Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Savings

Secretary of Energy and Environment Rick Sullivan is shown speaking during ceremonies Wednesday at the skat¬ing rink. Hundreds of thousands were spent to make the rink more energy efficient. Also on hand, from left to right were: Representative Eugene O’Flaherty, Lt. Governor Tim Murray, State Senator Sal DiDomenico and the state’s Stimulus and Jobs guru, Jeff Simon.

Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Ed Lambert, the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Representative Gene O’Flaherty, Senator Sal DiDomenico and a host of dignitaries, including the directors of the Charlestown Youth Hockey Association, were on hand with many others who came to celebrate the completion of energy saving elements at the Emmons Horrigan Rink Wednesday morning.

Rick Sullivan, the State’s Secretary of Energy and Environment – the former DCR director and the architect of energy saving measures in the skating rinks – delivered brief remarks praising the Lt. Governor, O’Flaherty, DiDomenico and the residents of Charlestown.

Also on hand was a friend of Charlestown hockey, former Bruin great Rick Middleton.

“All of this is about a committed breed of adult’s and volunteers from Charlestown and the rest of us who have done our part to make the rink more energy efficient,” Sullivan said.

“The rink’s average $145,000 refrigeration bill will be reduced by 20%-40% as a result of the installation of the energy efficient roofing insulation,” he added.

The green improvements at the rink are a result of the efforts by local and state leaders who committed to capital improvements as part of the Patrick Administration’s desire to cut energy costs and to promote green efficiencies.

“Energy efficient installations such as the work being done here not only reduce the energy costs, but will also help to enhance the recreational experience for visitors to the rink,” Sullivan said.

O’Flaherty praised Sullivan and especially, the Lt. Gov.

“Lt, Governor Murray as been with this neighborhood all the way since first being elected. He is a true friend to this neighborhood and his hand is all over the good things done to this rink,” O’Flaherty told the Charlestown Patriot-Bridge.

Nearly everyone who spoke had praise for O’Flaherty and DiDomenico who spent nearly a year advocating for the green changes to the rink.

The cost for the renovations to the rink were paid for with Stimulus funding approved by the governor’s  stimulus chief, Jeff Simons. He was present and spoke briefly during the ceremony.

“What happened here is all about jobs,” said the state’s Stimulus chief. “We’ve gone from ground breakings two years ago to ribbon cutting like this,” he added.

“This is pleasing, indeed.”

Also on hand and delivering brief remarks was the state’s head of Department of Energy Resource, Mark Sylvia.

It was a great day for the skating rink and for all those kids from this neighborhood who use it and who thrive in it, said O’Flaherty.

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