LOWER MERION — The Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society in Ardmore is asking Lower Merion Commissioners for a letter of support so it can apply for a grant to upgrade its historic rink in Ardmore.
During a grant committee meeting this week, the Lower Merion Commissioners unanimously approved a motion authorizing the township to issue a letter of support to the Philadelphia Skating Club and Human Society for a COVID-19 ARPA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grant application.
According to information provided by the skating club to the township, the skating club has already raised $1.3 million from private donors, including $25,000 from Lower Merion Township.
“Our request to the township has a short-term and longer-term component. In the short term, we hope the township will offer a letter of support for our inclusion in the COVID-19 ARPA Capital Projects Fund Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grant application, due April 20th,” according to a letter submitted to the township from skating club officials.
Among the work they want to do on the 1937 building is to replace the roof and the original skylights from the 1930s.
They also say the building needs to be upgraded for safety and structural integrity, as “in this absence, the facility will be forced to close.”
The skating club also wants to replace the ice-making and associated HVAC systems.
A few of the commissioners expressed support for the township submitting the letter of support and mentioned some of what the club does in the community.
Commissioner Anthony C. Stevenson, whose ward includes the skating club, was the first to give his support.
“I rise in support of this a letter of support for the skating club, they have done a lot of work behind the scenes particularly in the Ardmore community the last few years. They have had open skates for the community. They have done outreach with partners in the community, and now they’ve been working diligently to raise funds to preserve the structure, and I think that it is an asset to our community, and I hope everyone will be on board,” Stevenson said.
Commissioner Scott Zelov described the skating club as an amenity for the community.
“This is a remarkable facility, an engineering marvel. The first of its kind. It is a tremendous amenity in the township. Olympic skaters have come from this facility. It is historic and needs help, so we should be supportive,” Zelov said.
Commissioner Andrew S. Gavrin also endorsed the letter, saying he has been there many times with his family.
“Coming from a family of skaters, we have been there plenty of times, and it is a wonderful facility,” Gavrin said. “Thank you for everything you guys do. I know in the memo it says, ‘in the past, the township has issued letters of support for grant applications submitted by non-township entities that act to further our township goals’, and it is a wonderful facility within our township. It’s something we should be proud of, and thrilled that it’s part of our township, so I wholeheartedly support this.”
