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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Community reaches out to restore Babb's Rink
Community reaches out to restore Babb's Rink
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Scott Feron is the site manager for the Babb's Rink Restoration Project in West Suffield, Conn. Feron is still in need of professional framers who are interested in donating their time to install this roof area. Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
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By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
WEST SUFFIELD, CT Just over the border from Southwick sits a local treasure that is being brought back to life inch by inch.
Making history come alive is a slow, meticulous process, but thanks to a committed group of area residents, Babb's Roller Skating Rink will once again provide wonderful roller skating memories for those who enjoy the sport. The task at hand can seem daunting at first glance, but there is a spirit of cooperation between the volunteers that is infectious, according to Scott Feron, site manager.
Feron explained during an interview with Reminder Publications that the Babb family operated a summer lake resort on the shores of the Congamond Lake starting in the late 1890's. In its heyday, Babb's on Babb's Road was built as a dance hall that hosted well-known musicians during the Big Band era. In later years, the Babb family converted the facility into a roller skating rink. The Babb family donated the seven-acre parcel to the town in 1977.
Today, Feron leads volunteer work parties on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. in an effort to bring Babb's back to life. Volunteers are always needed and Feron provides safety gloves and safety glasses for those with a desire to get their hands dirty. For persons able to bring their own supplies during their volunteer time, hand tools, power tools, rakes, shovels, weed whackers and chain saws are welcomed.
Feron added that he welcomes volunteers of all skill levels, and especially skilled professional framers.
"We welcome anyone with any level of carpentry skills, however, all volunteers of various ages can learn basic carpentry skills from our active volunteers," Feron said.
Feron noted that both skilled and unskilled volunteers rebuilt a lot of the lower shed roof but when it came time to do the Microlam Valley and Hip Rafters where there were three roof pitches to contend with, he needed (and found) a team of skilled framers who volunteered their services.
Feron added that volunteers can learn the basic use of hand and power tools, learn how to install new windows, or can pick up debris to keep the work area safe.
"You learn how to work together as a team," he added.
Feron will also make his pitch for volunteers during an open house as part of the "Cruise Congamond" fund-raiser slated Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A rain date of Sept. 7 has been set. Feron encourages the public to stop in and enjoy the day of classic cars and motorcycles that will be on display, all with a scenic backdrop of Lake Congamond. Festivities also include a disc jockey, prizes, food, a 50/50 raffle and tours of the ongoing restoration of Babb's rink. A suggested contribution of $10 per car is requested.
"All proceeds go toward restoring the historical Babb's rink," Feron said, adding, "it's a great way to give back to your community and to show your support of a family recreational facility. We all feel the constraints of the economy, and a lot of folks will once again not be traveling as far away from home this Labor Day, so make part of your staycation Babb's."
During the open house, Feron and others will explain what's left to be done before a ribbon-cutting ceremony can take place. For starters, volunteers will need to finish building the new West Wall and roof structure, as well as finish demolition of the old practice rink to make way for the new building. Additionally, sweeping, pulling nails and staples out of boards and walls, installing new windows, making temporary exit doors and installing faux ceiling framework is still on the to-do list. Landscaping is also a big part of the overall look of the site and Feron noted that trees need to be pruned and fallen trees and branches need to be cleaned up.
When Feron is asked about a completion date, he said he always tells the person, "I'll tell you after you finish writing your check."
All joking aside, Feron said a tentative date is difficult to determine since there remains so many projects to complete. Ever the optimist, Feron knows that each work day completed brings the Babb's Rink Restoration Committee closer to its goal of reopening Babb's along with the assistance of Citizens Restoring Congamond (CRC).
"There is a lot of history here, family values to pass on, and we have an opportunity to give our families another recreational facility," he said. "I'm just proud to be part of this historical restoration. Once again the public will know and forever remember Babb's Roller Skating Rink and Babb's Beach."
Feron credits Jerry Crane, Tom Talamini, Bill Norcross, Deb Herath, Janeene Crane, Linda Champagney, Pam LaBarre, Ginny Graves and Rick Crosby, all members of Babb's Rink Restoration Committee, and members of CRC, to have the vision and commitment to ensure the project will be a success. He also thanked local and state representatives, state organizations and local businesses for their commitment and resources to seeing that Babb's reopens in the future.
A visionary himself, Feron noted that in addition to the featured roller skating rink, the state-of-the-art facility will have multiple purposes, including a party rental room for special events, and the rink itself which could be rented out for a large business meeting complete with drop-down screen in front of the stage.
Once the rink is restored, CRC plans to sublease the building to a rink operator and any profits realized from the sublease will be used for CRC's mission of the protection and preservation of the Congamond Lakes, according to Feron. Future plans for the town-owned property, pending available funding, include using the beach area, constructing a bathhouse, and building a pavilion overlooking the lake.
For more information on how to volunteer or if you have Babb's memorabilia you would like to donate to the restoration project, contact Feron at (860) 982-7342.
For details on the committee's "wish list" for Babb's, visit www.babbsrink.org.
For details on the Cruise Congamond fund-raiser or about membership in CRC, visit www.congamond.org.
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