Ed Snider, Mayor Nutter announce partnership to preserve ice rinks

Philadelphia, PA -- Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider announced that the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation (ESYHF) will take over operation and programming of three ice-skating rinks targeted by the City for possible closure.  Under the agreement, ESYHF will oversee all ice hockey programs at the Scanlon Ice Rink, the Laura Sims Skatehouse at Cobbs Creek, and the Rink at Simons Recreation and Teen Access Center.

The Foundation will provide free ice hockey instruction and leagues, including all equipment, as well supplemental academic services at no charge to participants. The Philadelphia Department of Recreation will continue to maintain the rinks.

“This agreement is an example of a great public-private partnership,” said Mayor Nutter.  “I am pleased that the Snider Foundation is able to work with the City to keep these rinks open and accessible to the community.  In this budget climate, we need to be more creative about how we provide services.”

The new partnership also expands general access to the rinks three afternoons per week at the Rizzo Rink and the Tarken Rink and access to ice on weekday mornings at all five City rinks. This will enable the Foundation to expand its School Day sessions, which provide physical education programming for many of the Philadelphia public schools that are within close proximity to these sites.  Entrance and equipment will be provided free of charge during these periods.

“If the end product of this partnership is that boys and girls go on to play for competitive club, scholastic or even collegiate hockey teams, that would be great,” said Ed Snider.  “But more significant are the thousands of young people who will learn the importance of staying in school, staying on a progressive path, and the need to give back to their communities. These children will someday help to build a stronger Philadelphia.”

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