Greenwich debate intensifies over $41 million plan to rebuild Dorothy Hamill rink and reconfigure Moorelot Park

First Selectman Fred Camillo and dozens of residents urged Greenwich’s Board of Estimate and Taxation during a public hearing to keep funding for a proposed replacement of the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink and an associated Moorelot Park redesign, a package that supporters say is critical to youth sports and neighborhood amenities and that opponents say is premature and insufficiently detailed.

Camillo, who outlined three “transformational” projects in the budget, described progress on private fundraising and said a local donor has pledged a significant amount that could accelerate the administration building and rink projects. "We're batting .667 so far with the fundraising," Camillo said, reporting early donor interest that he said would reduce taxpayer burden.

Why it matters: the package includes large capital outlays and affects the town’s multi-year capital backlog and debt strategy. Proponents said the rink replacement will preserve ice time for youth hockey and figure skating, avoid the recurring cost of temporary rinks, and restore an aging facility often referred to by its namesake, Dorothy Hamill.

Supporters emphasized the task force process and program impacts. "The task force brought together a diverse group of stakeholders," said Joe Rothenberg of Greenwich Cardinals Youth Hockey, urging the BET to approve the funding and warning of real costs from further delay. Steph Cowie, task force secretary, described the selected site as fiscally responsible, ADA accessible and one that would avoid a temporary rink and programming interruptions.

Opponents urged caution. "Remove the $41,000,000 for the Moorelot Park redesign from the FY27 budget," said Lucy Van Brockle, an RTM member, asking that any appropriation be conditioned on confirmed donor pledges, an operating-cost breakdown, a naming-rights policy and full engineering estimates including roadway and renewable-energy elements.

Residents also raised procurement and cost-escalation concerns. David Wald said a Freedom of Information response shows the SLAM design contract was extended beyond December 2025 for three more years at no additional cost, and he flagged rising estimates: "Last year the approved budget was $24,000,000; today it is $38,000,000," Wald said, adding he would be cautious about authorizing a total of $42,000,000.

Technical and sustainability details surfaced in debate. Javier Aylman said analyses showed geothermal and solar add a positive net present value and argued renewables should be included in project planning; Lucia Janssen warned the presented $40,000,000 figure does not include geothermal or solar and stressed the need to follow planning-and-zoning approvals before full appropriation.

The board did not take a vote at the hearing. The chair noted the BET’s Decision Day is scheduled for March 31 at 09:00, when members will further consider the capital requests and any conditions attached to appropriations.